Are Cl2, O2 , H2 etc neutral molecules?

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HCverma
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Are Cl2, O2 , H2 etc are nutral molecules?
As we know their atoms are neutral such as Cl. It has 17 protons and 17 electrons. Because it has the equal number of protons and electrons, it is a natural element. But when two Cl atoms combine through covalent bond by sharing a pair of electrons and make Cl2, then is the Cl2 molecule natural as above?
 
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mjc123 said:
What is the definition of "neutral"? Do these molecules fit that definition?
(BTW, "neutral" means something different from "natural" - or was that just your spellchecker?)
I know that the atoms fit the definition above, but I don't know whether those molecules are neutral or ionic as they all make covalent bonds.
 
A covalent bond is by definition not ionic. For example, NaCl is a neutral compound (no net charge), but it consists of Na+ and Cl- ions in a lattice, without covalent bonds between them. Cl2 consists of discrete molecules containing two chlorine atoms covalently bonded. The molecule has no net charge and is therefore neutral.
 
One of the first things I remember learning in a high school chemistry class, (I subsequently had an advanced high school chemistry class and 3 quarters of university chemistry), is that ## H, O, N, Cl, Br, I,## and ## F ## make diatomic molecules in their natural state. They had us memorize this: HON-Cl-BrIF , and I found it quite useful.
 
HCverma said:
Are Cl2, O2 , H2 etc are nutral molecules?
As we know their atoms are neutral such as Cl. It has 17 protons and 17 electrons. Because it has the equal number of protons and electrons, it is a natural element. But when two Cl atoms combine through covalent bond by sharing a pair of electrons and make Cl2, then is the Cl2 molecule natural as above?

Do you mean "neutral" or "natural"?
 
PeterDonis said:
Do you mean "neutral" or "natural"?
I mean 'neutral'