Which Elements Exist as Diatomic Molecules?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Muzzae
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Elements Travel
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Diatomic molecules consist of two atoms of the same element bonded together. Key examples include hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and halogens such as fluorine (F2), chlorine (Cl2), bromine (Br2), and iodine (I2). In contrast, elements like phosphorus (P4), arsenic (As4), and sulfur (S8) exist in polyatomic forms. The distinction between writing elements as single atoms or diatomic molecules depends on their natural state under standard conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular chemistry
  • Familiarity with elemental states and bonding
  • Knowledge of periodic table groupings, particularly halogens and noble gases
  • Basic grasp of chemical notation and equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of diatomic molecules in chemistry
  • Learn about the formation and significance of polyatomic molecules like P4 and S8
  • Explore the behavior of noble gases and their monatomic nature
  • Study chemical equations and the conventions for representing elements and compounds
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in molecular structures and chemical bonding will benefit from this discussion.

Muzzae
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Which elements "travel in pairs"?

This isn't exactly "homework help", just something that's been on my mind for a while. I know that when writing chlorine, oxygen and hydrogen by itself, you need to add a two. Why is this so? And also, what other elements "travel in pairs"?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
the halogen and the inert gases "travel in pairs." bromine, iodine...Xe...
 
Aha...answer found here. This thread can be closed :)
 
Consider also:

phosphorous- P4
arsenic- As4
sulfur- S8 and others
 
Inert (noble) gases are monatomic.

H, N, O, and halogens F, Cl, Br, I, At form pairs, or diatomic molecules.

Cesium gave forms in which molecules have quadruples or octuples.
 
Question related to this...

Halogen and such gases exists in diatomic - we write Cl2, I2 etc.
But sulphur exist in S8, why we write S in our equations?
then when do we write as element (in S) and when we write in molecule as in Cl2?

thanks
 

Similar threads

Chemistry How to understand this acidic oxide chemical reaction?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Chemistry Determining the positive and negative poles of a molecule
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
How to figure out the ratios in which elements combine
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Dipole-Dipole Attraction in Molecules: Analysis of BCl3, XeF4, AsH3, and SCl3
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
Atomic Mass of Element X: Solving with John Dalton Ratios
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Undergrad Effective Hamiltonian to Rotational Term Values
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Electropositivity - 2nd opinion needed
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Chemistry Molecular mass of gaseous compound question
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
9K
Undergrad Problem regarding understanding entropy
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Lewis Acid/Base Chemistry in formation of Sulfuric Acid
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K