The origin of life, matter and reality has been an issue that has intrigued man since his origins. What happens if an apple is infinitely divided? To what extent of the division will cease to be an apple? Or it could be that it never ceased to be for more than divided. These types of unknowns today have a response thanks to current physicochemistry, but from ancient Greece, philosophers approached such doubts only since their reasoning.
Currently, you have surely heard of atoms and molecules. Although both refer to tiny components, they are different things and should not be used interchangeably. In this ecology article you will learn the difference between atom and moleculeas well as practical examples for you to understand these concepts well, because they are the ones that form reality as we know it.
Difference between atoms and molecules
An atom and a molecule are not the same. The easiest way to differentiate them is to understand that The molecules are composed of atoms. There may be independent atoms, but not molecules without atoms.
In other words and simplifying, we can say that the atom is the smallest unit, while the molecule is a union of several atoms. In addition, atoms do not exist individually by themselves, while the molecules can do so.
Next we explain in detail what an atom is and what is a molecule, along with examples with which we live day by day.
What is an atom
The atoms la smaller basic unit that composes the matterwhich cannot be separated or divided. Each atom has electrons that revolve around a central nucleus, which is formed by neutrons and protons. Now:
- The electrons: they have a negative load.
- The protons: have a positive charge.
- Neutron: they have neutral load.
Not all atoms are the same, but the Difference in the number of protons in the nucleus It will give different elements. These components can be identified by something called atomic number, which refers to the aforementioned.
The total protons and neutrons results in atomic mass, a fact that is used to describe atomic elements, as we will see later in the examples.
The concept was created near the year 400 AC per democritusa Greek sage who concluded that there should be an indivisible unit that composes all matter, as tiny parts. Twenty centuries later the scientists discovered that Democritus really was right.
Additionally, these are some Characteristics of atoms:
- They are not visible to the naked eye: but optical tools such as electronic microscope are needed.
- They are indivisible: That is not to divide.
Examples of atoms
Some examples of atoms that we find in our day to day are the following:
- Atom of the sodium element.
- Atom of the potassium element.
- Helium element atom.
- Atom of the hydrogen element.
What is a molecule
The concept of molecule was created By Avogadrowho lived Between 1776 and 1856in response to a problem in the calculation of volumes in gases. He determined that some gases must exist as diatomic molecules, that is, they have two atoms. From this approach it was understood that atoms can be united.
Therefore, we can define a molecule as the combination of more than one atom and? They are united each other. These molecules are generated as a result of chemical substances. Not only do they occur with gases, but with all kinds of elements such as liquids or solids.
The union in the molecule can be of the same element or of different. Some may be of few united atoms, and others very large. Unlike atoms, molecules can have varied shapes and sizes.
These are some Characteristics of the molecules:
- They are composed of more than one atom.
- They are divisible in smaller parts.
- They create interactions among them: thanks to ionic or covalent bonds. Ionic bonds happen when an electric balance is sought from a difference in loads between atoms. From here an electron is given to another forming a link. The covalent bonds, on the contrary, are formed when an electron is shared between both atoms. These bonds prevent the molecules from having some load, and make them electrically neutral.
- They can have a variety of forms: Thanks to the fact that they are composed of several atoms. These forms range from helical, pyramidal, round, linear, among others.
Examples of molecules
After having read the definition of what a molecule is and some of its characteristics, here we bring you examples about it.
- Salt (NaCl): It is found naturally in seas, soils and organisms, but it is also the one used for human consumption within food.
- Water (H2O): The basic molecule of life. We explain the types of water below.
- DNA (deoxyribonucléic acid): It is the molecule in which the genetic material of living beings is housed. Do not miss the difference between DNA and RNA, in this post of Ecology Verde.
- Polyethylene ((C2H4) n): It is the common plastic we know and it is the simplest polymer.
- Proteins: Also called biomolecules. They are formed by oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen elements.
If you want to read more articles similar to Difference between atom and moleculewe recommend that you enter our biology category.
- Trejo, M. (1986). The structure of the atom. Mexico: Cultural publications.
