Difference between revisions of "TFNR - Molecules"
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| − | + | Molecules (including polyatomic ions) are '''aggregates of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds'''. | |
| − | + | They may be formed by '''atoms of the same species, or by different chemical elements'''. | |
| − | + | Atoms can be connected by '''different types of bonds''': covalent bonds, polar covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds, etc. In molecules, some electrons may be shared by two or more atoms, or they may be shared across several molecules, forming an electronic cloud that imparts particular properties to the compound (e.g., in metals). | |
| + | Molecules are the '''constituent elements of compounds''', one of the fundamental objects of study in chemistry and molecular physics. | ||
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| + | '''The spatial extent of molecules can range from the very small size''' of the smallest, diatomic hydrogen (with a bond length of 0.74 x 10<sup>-10</sup> meters) '''to macroscopic sizes''' observed in molecules of many inorganic and organic polymers (such as proteins and DNA), which typically range in size between approximately 10<sup>-10</sup> and 10<sup>-9</sup> meters. | ||
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| + | As with atoms, the '''size and shape of molecules depend on the state and dynamics of the molecule and the state and dynamics of the molecular environment''' (including the compounds that the molecule forms part of). '''Properties of molecules can be intrinsic''', arising primarily from the interactions (bonds) and the collective behavior of the atoms (and consequently the atomic particles, nucleus, and electrons) composing them, '''or extrinsic''', resulting from the interactions and collective behavior of the molecules within the compound. | ||
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Latest revision as of 20:27, 4 July 2025
Molecules (including polyatomic ions) are aggregates of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
They may be formed by atoms of the same species, or by different chemical elements.
Atoms can be connected by different types of bonds: covalent bonds, polar covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds, etc. In molecules, some electrons may be shared by two or more atoms, or they may be shared across several molecules, forming an electronic cloud that imparts particular properties to the compound (e.g., in metals).
Molecules are the constituent elements of compounds, one of the fundamental objects of study in chemistry and molecular physics.
The spatial extent of molecules can range from the very small size of the smallest, diatomic hydrogen (with a bond length of 0.74 x 10-10 meters) to macroscopic sizes observed in molecules of many inorganic and organic polymers (such as proteins and DNA), which typically range in size between approximately 10-10 and 10-9 meters.
As with atoms, the size and shape of molecules depend on the state and dynamics of the molecule and the state and dynamics of the molecular environment (including the compounds that the molecule forms part of). Properties of molecules can be intrinsic, arising primarily from the interactions (bonds) and the collective behavior of the atoms (and consequently the atomic particles, nucleus, and electrons) composing them, or extrinsic, resulting from the interactions and collective behavior of the molecules within the compound.
Links to the tables of contents of TFNR Paper
