Atom vs. Molecule — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
An atom is the smallest unit of an element retaining its properties, while a molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together.
Difference Between Atom and Molecule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An atom represents the most basic unit of an element that retains all of its chemical properties. On the other hand, a molecule is formed when two or more atoms, either of the same or different elements, bond together.
At its core, an atom consists of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbits. A molecule, however, is the result of atoms sharing or transferring electrons, leading to chemical bonds that hold the atoms together.
It's worth noting that while every element is represented by a distinct atom with a specific number of protons, a molecule's identity is determined by the types and number of atoms it contains. For instance, an oxygen atom (O) differs from an oxygen molecule (O2), which consists of two oxygen atoms bonded together.
While atoms are neutral with equal numbers of protons and electrons, molecules can possess net charges if they contain ions. For example, an atom of sodium is electrically neutral, but when it loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion and can bond with a negatively charged ion to form a molecule.
In essence, while both atoms and molecules are foundational concepts in chemistry, they represent different levels of matter's organization. An atom is the building block, and when these blocks come together through chemical bonds, they form molecules.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Smallest unit of an element
Group of two or more atoms bonded together
Composition
Protons, neutrons, and electrons
Atoms of either the same or different elements
Identity
Determined by the number of protons
Determined by the types and number of atoms
Charge
Neutral (in general)
Can be neutral or charged (if it contains ions)
Example
Hydrogen atom (H)
Water molecule (H2O)
Compare with Definitions
Atom
The foundational building block in chemistry.
Everything around us is made up of atoms.
Molecule
The smallest unit of a compound retaining its properties.
A glucose molecule provides energy to our cells.
Atom
The basic unit of an element.
Gold jewelry consists of gold atoms.
Molecule
A combination of two or more atoms.
Oxygen in the atmosphere exists primarily as O2 molecules.
Atom
A single unit representing a specific element.
Every carbon atom possesses six protons.
Molecule
A group of atoms bonded together.
A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Atom
A neutral entity with equal numbers of protons and electrons.
A helium atom has two protons and two electrons.
Molecule
The result of atomic interactions and bonding.
DNA molecules carry genetic information.
Atom
An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Every solid, liquid, gas, and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms.
Molecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their lack of electrical charge.
Atom
A part or particle considered to be an irreducible constituent of a specified system.
Molecule
The smallest particle of a substance that retains the chemical and physical properties of the substance and is composed of two or more atoms; a group of like or different atoms held together by chemical forces.
Atom
The irreducible, indestructible material unit postulated by ancient atomism.
Molecule
A small particle; a tiny bit.
Atom
An extremely small part, quantity, or amount.
Molecule
(chemistry) The smallest particle of a specific element or compound that retains the chemical properties of that element or compound; two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
Hydrogen chloride is a diatomic molecule, consisting of a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom.
Atom
The smallest unit of an element, having all the characteristics of that element and consisting of a very small and dense central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by one or more shells of orbiting electrons. Atoms remain undivided in chemical reactions except for the donation, acceptance, or exchange of valence electrons.
Molecule
A tiny amount.
Atom
This unit regarded as a source of nuclear energy.
Molecule
One of the very small invisible particles of which all ordinary matter is supposed to consist.
Atom
The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
Molecule
The smallest part of any substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state.
Atom
(history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.
Molecule
A group of atoms so united and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf. Atom.
Atom
The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.
Molecule
(physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
Atom
(philosophy) In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
Molecule
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
Atom
(historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
Molecule
Entities formed from atoms through chemical bonds.
A salt molecule forms when a sodium atom bonds with a chlorine atom.
Atom
A mote of dust in a sunbeam.
Atom
A very small amount; a whit.
Atom
An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.
Atom
(mathematics) A non-zero member of a partially ordered set that has only zero below it (assuming that the poset has a least element, its "zero").
In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line.
Atom
An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement.
Atom
An age group division in hockey for nine- to eleven-year-olds.
Atom
An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.
Atom
The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.
Atom
Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water.
Atom
To reduce to atoms.
Atom
(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
Atom
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
Atom
A particle with a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
The number of protons in an atom determines its element.
Common Curiosities
Can molecules be broken down further?
Yes, molecules can be broken down into individual atoms or smaller molecules.
Are all molecules made of multiple elements?
No, molecules can be made of the same element, like O2, or different elements, like H2O.
What bonds atoms together in a molecule?
Atoms bond together through covalent or ionic bonds to form molecules.
What's the main difference between an atom and a molecule?
An atom is a single unit of an element, while a molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together.
Is an atom visible to the naked eye?
No, atoms are incredibly small and cannot be seen without specialized equipment.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
