Element that is also a molecule?

  • Thread starter Thread starter chemister
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Element Molecule
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the distinction between elements and molecules, emphasizing that an element consists of a single type of atom, while a molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond together. Hydrogen is highlighted as an example of an element that exists as a diatomic molecule (H2), along with other diatomic elements like oxygen (O2) and halogens. The conversation clarifies that while some elements can exist as diatomic molecules, metals typically exist in a crystalline structure composed of many atoms, which complicates their classification as molecules. The distinction between elements, molecules, and compounds is reinforced, noting that compounds consist of molecules made from different types of atoms. The discussion also touches on the misconception of referring to diatomic atoms and the nature of atomic bonding in metals versus non-metals.
chemister
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
What would be an example of an element that is also a molecule?

Would hydrogen be an example of this?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Very few elements actually exist as single atoms. A molecule is the smallest part of an element, or compound, that can exist independently e.g. hydrogen exists on its own as H2, oxygen as O2.
 
I would say very many elements exista as monoatomic molecules.All the metals,for example.Don't get confused by the fact that if metals have a crystaline structure,then the molecules would be composed by more than one atoms...

Daniel.
 
An Element Is A Single Atom. While A Molecule Is A Group Of Atoms That Are Bond Together To Form Another Compounds... Some Elements Exist As A Diatomic Atom. Example Of These Are Hydrogen And The Halogens Family( Chlorine. Fluorine Etc.) In Case Of Hydrogen. Hydrogen Is A Diatomic Atom. If The Hydrogen Bonded To Other Elements This Is An Example Of Molecule...
In Short Element Is A Single Atom While Molecule Composed Of 2 Or More Atoms That Are Bonded Together.
 
Just so this does not cause any confusion, I'm going to make corrections to oxygen's post.
oxygen said:
An Element Is A Single Atom.
No, an element is any material that is composed of only a single kind of atom (ie: all its atoms are identical)

While A Molecule Is A Group Of Atoms That Are Bond Together To Form Another Compounds...
A molecule is a group of atoms that are bonded together, but they do not form a compound. A compound is is something whose molecules contain more than one kind of atom.

Some Elements Exist As A Diatomic Atom.
Some elements are a collection of diatomic molecules. You can not have a diatomic atom - that's self-contradictory.

Example Of These Are Hydrogen And The Halogens Family( Chlorine. Fluorine Etc.) In Case Of Hydrogen. Hydrogen Is A Diatomic Atom. If The Hydrogen Bonded To Other Elements This Is An Example Of Molecule...
Hydrogen is made up of diatomic molecules. If hydrogen bonds with atoms of another element you get a compound.

In Short Element Is A Single Atom While Molecule Composed Of 2 Or More Atoms That Are Bonded Together.

You can not compare an element and a molecule. You can compare an element and a compound. An element is made of only a single kind of atom - whether as a crystal (Fe), or isolated atoms (He) or as molecules (H2), does not matter. A compound is made up of molecules (or crystals) with more than one kind of atom (NH3, H2O, NaCl)
 
To answer the original question :

It would make more sense to ask, "for an example of an element that exists as molecules" or "that is composed of molecules".

Yes, hydrogen, is such an element. Nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine are the only others at STP.
 
chemister said:
What would be an example of an element that is also a molecule?
If I'm not mistaken, only noble gases can be 1-atom molecules.
 
What happened to the metals/semimetals??Got banned from existence in the periodic table?? :wink:

Daniel.
 
Metals are hundreds/thousands of atoms bound together in a lattice.
 
  • #10
ShawnD said:
Metals are hundreds/thousands of atoms bound together in a lattice.

And that's just because chemists wrongy assume interactions between metals in a crystaline structure as chemical bonds,right??I bet they have no idea about solid state PHYSICS... :rolleyes:

Daniel.
 
  • #11
dextercioby said:
And that's just because chemists wrongy assume interactions between metals in a crystaline structure as chemical bonds,right??
Compare non-metal crystals with metal crystals. Here is what http://www.avogadro.co.uk/structure/chemstruc/molecular/i2.gif looks like as a crystal. The iodine hangs out in packs of 2 wheras each sodium binds to 8 of its closest neighbors. The only reason you can't call it Na9 is because you can't distinguish the atoms as groups of 9. Every atom is bound to 8 other atoms.

If 10 people are holding hands in a cirle, I can't say that each person is not holding hands. Even though each person is holding the hand of 2 others, I can't say the people are in groups of 3 either.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Rationale for 6n+2 rule for the number of pi bonds in a non-cyclic molecule
Replies
3
Views
1K
Solubility depends on polarity or on the number of hydrogen bonds?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Why are metals in aqueous solution basic, and non-metals acidic?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Question about the collisions of the molecules in an ideal gas
Replies
24
Views
3K
Radioactivity and the Periodic Table
Replies
24
Views
3K
Group I/II Metal oxides always basic in aqueous solution -- why?
Replies
3
Views
2K
How to predict chemical reactions?
Replies
16
Views
2K
Why Does Raman Activity Require Anisotropic Polarizability?
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Do Individual Atoms Determine if an Element is Solid, Liquid, or Gaseous?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Empirical approach for predicting mass spectra
Replies
0
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top