Di erence Between Atom and Molecule

January 31, 2017 By Surbhi S — 1 Comment

In your surrounding, you might have observed there are millions of objects, which
are created out of matter and the matter comprises of molecules, which is a
combination of two or more atoms bonded together. So, in short, atoms are
grouped together to form a molecule, which embodies the objects around us. The
whole universe is made up of the atom, and they are so small particles of an
element, that we are not able to see them through bare eyes or even via microscope,
but they do exist in each and every object and are affected by our activities.
What is the difference between atoms and molecules, is the basic question that
arises in the mind of every chemistry student. They often face difficulty in
understanding them correctly, as both of these two are a tiny identifiable unit.

Content: Atom Vs Molecule

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
ATOM MOLECULE
COMPARISON

Meaning The tiny particle of a Molecules refers to the set of

chemical element, which may atoms held together by bond,
or may not exist indicating the smallest unit of
independently is called an a compound.
atom.

Existence May or may not exist in free Exist in free state.

state.

Comprise of Nucleus and electrons. Two or more, identical or

different atoms, bonded
chemically.
 BASIS FOR
ATOM MOLECULE
COMPARISON

Division Indivisible Divisible into individual

atoms.

Shape Spherical Linear, angular and triangular

Visibility Neither visible through Not visible through naked

naked eyes, nor magnifying eyes, but can be seen with the
microscope. help of magnifying
microscope.

Reactivity Highly reactive, subject to Comparatively less reactive.

certain exceptions

Bond Nuclear bond Covalent bond

De nition of Atom

The term ‘atom’ in chemistry represents the elementary unit of ordinary matter
that exist in free state and contains all chemical properties. It is an infinitesimal
particle that distinctively identifies a chemical element. It is composed of a
positively charged nucleus and surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

The nucleus consists of protons and neutrons which group together at the middle
of an atom. These protons and neutrons have almost equal masses, but they vary in
charge i.e. the former carry positive charge while the latter do not carry the electric
charge. The positive charge in an atom is equivalent to the negative charge. Thus it
is electrically neutral. In addition to this, the protons and neutrons are made up of
constituents, i.e. quarks and gluons.

Example: H, He, Li, O, N

De nition of Molecule

The molecule is a small unit of matter, which exist in free state and represents the
chemical properties of the substance.

When two or more atoms are extremely close to each other, such that the electrons
of the atoms can interact with one another, resulting in attraction between the
atoms, called as a chemical bond. The chemical bond takes place as a result of the
exchange of electrons between atoms, specifically known as a covalent bond. So,
when two or more atoms are clustered together as a single unit, with the help of
covalent bond, it forms a molecule.

If one or more identical atoms exist as a unit, independently, it is known as a

molecule of an element, but if two or more varying elements are grouped together
in a fixed proportion, by mass, to create a unit that exists freely, is termed as a
molecule of a compound.

Example: H2O, CO2, NO2, CH4

Key Di erences Between Atom and Molecule

The difference between atom and molecule can be drawn clearly on the
following grounds:

1. Atom is defined as the smallest unit of an element which may or

may not exists independently. On the other hand, molecule implies
the set of atoms held together by the bond, indicating the smallest
unit of a compound.
 2. Atoms may or may not exist in the free state, but molecules exist in
the free state.

3. Atoms comprise of the nucleus (which contains protons and

neutrons) and electrons. Conversely, a molecule comprises of two
or more, identical or different atoms, combined chemically.

4. Atoms cannot be further divided into sub-atoms. As against this,

molecules can be further divided to individual atoms.

5. The shape of an atom is spherical whereas the molecules can be

linear, angular or rectangular in shape.

6. Atoms are highly reactive, i.e. they participate in the chemical

reaction without additional decomposition into subatomic units.
However, this is not applicable to noble gas atoms. On the contrary,
molecules are less reactive, as they do not take part in the chemical
reaction.

7. Atoms possess nuclear bond, as it entails electrostatic attraction

between the nucleus and electron. In contrast, there exist a
chemical bond between atoms of a molecule, such that it
encompasses single, double or triple bonds.

Conclusion

By and large, there are some dissimilarities amidst the two topics. Both are tiny
units, but as molecules are made up of atoms, the size of an atom is much smaller
than a molecule. Moreover, to form ions, atoms gain or lose electrons, which is not
in the case of a molecule.