Overview
This lecture introduces key terms related to molecules and molecular compounds, and how they are represented with chemical formulas.
Molecules and Chemical Formulas
- Molecules form when two or more atoms are chemically bound together.
- Chemical formulas represent the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule.
Types of Molecules
- A molecule made of only two atoms is called a diatomic molecule.
- Diatomic molecules can consist of the same element, such as Cl₂ (chlorine molecule).
Molecular Compounds
- Compounds made of molecules containing more than one type of atom are called molecular compounds.
- Methane (CH₄) is a molecular compound made of carbon and hydrogen.
- Molecular compounds are often composed of nonmetals bonded to other nonmetals.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Molecule — Two or more atoms chemically bound together.
- Chemical Formula — Symbolic representation of a molecule showing types and numbers of atoms.
- Diatomic Molecule — A molecule consisting of exactly two atoms.
- Molecular Compound — A molecule containing more than one type of atom, usually nonmetals.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the definitions of molecule, diatomic molecule, and molecular compound.
- Be prepared to recognize and write chemical formulas for simple molecules.