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Secondaire 2 • September 16, 2021

Hello, I don't understand the difference between each of these terms: atom, molecule, element and compound. Can you help me ? Thanks

Explanation (1)

Student Explanation

September 16, 2021

Hello Quiet Dragon! Thank you for your question 😉 First, let's define the terms: • The atom is the smallest part of matter that can be obtained by dividing matter by chemical means. An atom is a particle. • Element is a type of atom. There are more than a hundred kinds of elements, all of which are grouped within the periodic table. Groups of atoms of the same kind are also designated as elements. • The molecule is a grouping of atoms linked together. • Compound is a group of two or more types of atoms bonded together. The difference between each of the terms is then the following: • Atom-element: the atom designates only the particle itself, while the element designates a category of atoms, or even a group of atoms of the same sort. • Atom-molecule: the atom designates a single particle, while the molecule designates two or more particles • Atom-compound: the atom designates a single particle, while the compound implies the presence of two or more particles • Element- molecule: the element designates a category of atoms or a group of atoms of the same kind, while the molecule designates a group of atoms linked together • Element-compound: the element designates a group of atoms of the same sort, whereas the compound designates a group of bonded atoms of two or more kinds • Molecule-compound: the molecule designates two or more particles bonded together, while the compound designates a group of bonded atoms of two kinds of elements or more Don't hesitate if you have other questions!