Compound vs Molecule: What's the Difference?

[pivoxa15]

Different books seem to give different meanings to these terms although they are generally along the same lines.

One book said that an ionicly bonded atoms such as NaCl cannot be labeled as a molecure and must be called a compound.

Does this inturn mean that atoms bonded covalently cannot be called a compound and must be called a molecure?

 

[Unco]

NaCl is an ionic compound.
H2O is a molecular compound.

A molecule of H2O has two H atoms and an O atom covalently bonded; whereas there is no similar kind of singular for ionic compounds because they consist of ions in a lattice structure.

 

[Blueshift5]

The terms "compound" and "molecule" are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but there are distinct differences between the two when it comes to scientific terminology. A compound is a substance that is made up of two or more different elements chemically bonded together. This bonding can be either ionic or covalent. On the other hand, a molecule refers to the smallest unit of a compound that still retains the chemical properties of that compound. In other words, a molecule is a group of atoms held together by chemical bonds.

In the case of NaCl, it is correct to classify it as a compound rather than a molecule. This is because it is made up of two different elements, sodium and chlorine, that are bonded together in an ionic bond. This type of bonding involves the transfer of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of ions. In contrast, in covalent bonding, atoms share electrons to form molecules.

Therefore, it is not accurate to say that covalently bonded atoms cannot be called compounds. Compounds can have both ionic and covalent bonds, and the distinction between the two lies in the type of bonding between the atoms, not in the classification of the compound itself. It is important to use precise scientific terminology when discussing chemical substances to avoid confusion and accurately describe their properties and behavior.