What is the molecule and how it differs from the atom

many centuries ago, people guessed that any substance on earth consists of microscopic particles.It took some time, and scientists have shown that these particles do exist.They were called atoms.Usually, atoms can not exist separately and together in groups.These groups are called molecules.The name "molecule" is derived from the Latin word moles, meaning heavy, lump colossus, and the diminutive suffix - cula.Previously, this term was used instead of the word "corpuscle", literally meaning "little body".To find out what a molecule turn to Dictionary.In the dictionary Ushakov said that this is the smallest particle that can exist autonomously and has all the properties of the substance to which it relates.Molecules and atoms are all around us, and even though they can not feel, all that we see, in fact - it is their giant cluster.

example water

best to explain what the molecule can be an example of a glass of water.If half of the mold therefrom, the taste, color and composition of the remaining water does not change.It would be strange to expect something different.If half of the cast again, the number will decrease, but again, the properties remain the same.Continuing in the same spirit, we finally got a little bit.It is still possible to share a pipette, but endlessly continue this process will fail.Eventually got the smallest particle, which is the remainder of dividing the water will be gone.To imagine that such a molecule and how small, try to guess how many molecules are in one drop of water.What do you think?Billion?One hundred billion?In fact it there about a hundred sekstilonov.This number, which is the unit after twenty-three-zero.This value is hard to imagine, so we use the comparison: the size of a single molecule of water is less than a large apple as many times as the apple itself is less than the globe.Therefore, it can not be seen even in the most powerful optical microscope.

structure of molecules and atoms

As we already know, all the microscopic particles are in turn composed of atoms.Depending on their number, the orbits of the central atom and geometrical form such bonds may be different molecules.For example, human DNA is wound in a spiral manner, and the smallest particle of regular table salt has the form of a crystal lattice.If the molecule somehow take more atoms happen its destruction.This past will not disappear, but will be part of other microparticles.

Once we figured out that this molecule go to the atom.Its structure is very similar to a planetary system: the center is the nucleus with neutrons and positively charged protons, and in different orbits around the electrons revolve.In general, the atom is electrically neutral.In other words, the number of electrons equal to the number of protons.

We hope our article has been helpful, and now you have no more questions about what the molecule and the atom, how they work and what is the difference.