What is the difference between Molecules and Compounds?

A molecule is an end result of the interaction and combination of two or more atoms chemically. These atoms are well packed together with their bonds, and they belong to an element. It represents a very minute essential unit of a chemical compound that can partake in a chemical reaction. Examples include hydrogen molecule (H2) Oxygen molecule (O2) and a lot of others. They're recognized by their weights and sizes and can exist in either liquid, solid or gas state.

A compound is a substance that is made up of two or more elements chemically joined together. They can be identified by the formula they carry, which made known the molecules that are joined together to form the compound. Compounds also possess different Chemical and physical attributes in relation to the molecules joined together to form the compound. Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is a common example of a compound. All compounds are molecules but not vice versa. Molecules are an essential build up an agent for compounds.

Molecules and compounds are terms used in chemistry. Molecule refers to the smallest element that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound. Molecules are usually very unstable. A common example of a molecule is ozone (O3). Molecules are made up of a simple group of atoms held together by strong bonds. Molecules are most times not visible to the naked eye.

On the other hand, a compound refers to a substance made from the combination of elements. Compounds are made from molecules. A compound is represented with a formula. In physical form, compounds are very stable. A common example of a compound is table salt (sodium chloride – NaCl). Compounds can be easily seen with the naked eye. Hope you find this information helpful.

A molecule is formed when there are two elements of an atom that is joined together. If in case the atoms of different elements are joined together, they will be called a compound. There are some molecules that are only composed of one type of element. For example, hydrogen atoms may become infused together. This cannot be called a compound because the atoms are both hydrogens.

If hydrogen and oxygen will be infused together, this will already be called a compound since the atoms are different from each other. Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) can also form another compound that we all know as table salt. In general, it can be said that all types of compounds are also molecules.

Molecule and compound are common words used in Chemistry classes that for some students, find it confusing as they think these two are just the same. A molecule is the product of two or more atoms that chemically joined together. It is also the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound. Nitrogen gas (N2) is an example of a molecule as it is a molecular bond that binds the two Nitrogen atoms together.

Technically, a molecule is any element as long as the atoms forming it are of the same type, or it only has one kind of element. On the contrary, a compound is composed of two or more different molecules or elements. NO2 is already a compound as it contains two elements: Nitrogen and Oxygen.