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Student Question

Secondary I • 2yr.

Hello,

I don't understand the difference between each of these terms: atom, molecule, element and compound.

Can you help me ?

Thanks

Science
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Explanations (1)

  • Explanation from Alloprof

    Explanation from Alloprof

    This Explanation was submitted by a member of the Alloprof team.

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    Team Alloprof • 2yr.

    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!

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