What is a Molecular Substance and How Does it Differ from an Element?

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In summary, a molecular substance is one that consists of molecules, which can vary in size from a single atom to a group of atoms bonded together. This means that even a single carbon atom can be considered a molecule. However, substances like solid sodium, which involve metallic bonding, may not fit this definition.
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Homework Statement


Molecular Substance... Is a substance that has molecules, all of which are the same...

im guessing it means... C sub4 is a molecular substance but if it was just Carbon itself ... it would not be a molecular substance because it is just an element and not a molecule... is this correct?


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  • #2
No, a molecule can consist of a single atom. And 4 Carbon atoms linked as a single group would certainly be a "molecule".
 
  • #3
I understand that if 4 carbons are linked together is a molecule However if it is just One carbon atom therefore because it is just a single atom and not a group of atoms chemically bonded that means it is not a molecule... is this correct?
 
  • #4
Webster: (molecule is) the smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more like atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound.
 
  • #5
Wow, my world has been shattered a little... (not really) My understanding had always been like the first sentence on Wikipedia's article on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecule" : A molecule is defined as a group of at least two atoms in a definite arrangement held together by covalent chemical bonds.

So by Webster's definition, could Na(s) and He(g) also be considered molecules?
 
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  • #6
Read fine print in wikipedia.

I am not sure how to treat solid Na - it is a metal, so there is a metallic bond involved. He(g) is a molecule.
 

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