Question

difference between atom and molecule

Answer 1

The difference between atom and molecule can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

Atom is defined as the smallest unit of an element which may or may not exists independently. On the other hand, molecule implies the set of atoms held together by the bond, indicating the smallest unit of a compound.Atoms may or may not exist in the free state, but molecules exist in the free state.Atoms comprise of the nucleus (which contains protons and neutrons) and electrons. Conversely, a molecule comprises of two or more, identical or different atoms, combined chemically.Atoms cannot be further divided into sub-atoms. As against this, molecules can be further divided to individual atoms.The shape of an atom is spherical whereas the molecules can be linear, angular or rectangular in shape.Atoms are highly reactive, i.e. they participate in the chemical reaction without additional decomposition into subatomic units. However, this is not applicable to noble gas atoms. On the contrary, molecules are less reactive, as they do not take part in the chemical reaction.Atoms possess nuclear bond, as it entails electrostatic attraction between the nucleus and electron. In contrast, there exist a chemical bond between atoms of a molecule, such that it encompasses single, double or triple bonds.

Answer 2

Atom is possibly the smallest particle of an element that defines the property of that element. Atoms combine together to form molecules.Molecules can be formed by the combination of similar or dissimilar atoms.Molecules can be breakdown or decomposed where as atoms cannot be decomposed.Atoms may be small when compared to molecules but they are not the smallest particles ever found.Atoms are made up of particles like protons,electrons and neutrons etc.