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Some Basic Concepts Of Chemistry

Question
CBSEENCH11005018

What is the difference between molecule of an element and molecule of a compound?

Solution

Molecule of an element:  Molecule of an element contains two or more atoms of the same element. For example, a molecule of hydrogen consists of two atoms of hydrogen. Such molecules are called diatomic molecules. A molecule of ozone (O3) contains three atoms of oxygen. The molecules of noble gases such as helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon are regarded as mono atomic molecules. This is because each molecule of these gases contains only one atom.

Molecule of a compound: 
 Molecule of a compound contains two or more atoms of the different elements. For example, a molecule of water (H2O) contains two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. Molecules of some of the natural products are quite complex and contain a very large number of atoms. For example a molecule of cane sugar (C12H22O11) contains 45 atoms.