The universe is truly a remarkable place. Within our solar system, we have the Sun and the planets, all of which are part of the larger Milky Way galaxy.
Here on Earth, we have diverse landscapes such as tall mountains, deep seas, and vast stretches of land. With over seven billion human beings and countless animals, Earth is home to a wide variety of life. And yet, all of these things are composed of different variations of the same basic building blocks known as elements.
At the smallest scale, our bodies are made up of countless tiny atoms. These atoms, too small to be seen, come together in an infinite number of ways to form who we are and what we are made of. They also make up everything around us, from the mountains and seas to the planets and stars.
But why do atoms have a tendency to combine with each other? Why aren’t they content to exist on their own? It all comes down to chemistry.
Atoms form chemical bonds with other atoms when there is an electrostatic attraction between them. This attraction is a result of the properties and characteristics of the atoms’ outermost electrons, known as valence electrons.
When two or more atoms bond together chemically, they create a molecule. Sometimes, these atoms are all of the same element. For example, when three oxygen atoms bond together, they form a molecule of ozone (O3).
If a molecule is formed from atoms of two or more different elements, it is called a compound. One familiar compound is water (H2O), which is formed by the chemical bonding of two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom.
Atoms can bond with each other in various ways. However, there are three main types of chemical bonds that are commonly observed: covalent, metallic, and ionic.
Covalent bonds occur between nonmetallic substances. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between atoms. An example of a covalent bond is the bond between two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in a water molecule.
Metallic bonds, as the name suggests, occur between metallic substances. The valence atoms in metals have the ability to move freely, allowing them to easily form bonds. This is why metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
Ionic bonds form between a metal and a nonmetal substance. In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from the metal to the nonmetal. An example of a compound formed by ionic bonds is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt!
Give It a Try
Are you ready to experiment with molecules? Make sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:
Are all molecules the same in appearance? Not necessarily! In your kitchen, you can find molecules. Take a glass and fill it with water molecules from the tap. To enhance your experience with the water molecules, add some solid ones from the freezer, like ice cubes. Before drinking your water, observe the differences in appearance between the solid and liquid water molecules.
Do molecules bond together? It varies depending on their composition. To experiment with molecules that don’t mix, try the Mixing Oil and Water experiment. You will need simple materials and assistance from someone else.
Visit the Water Molecules on the Move experiment online. Get cold water, hot water, food coloring, and an eye dropper. Through trial and error, determine if hot water molecules move faster than cold ones.
Wonder Sources:
– http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/f/What-Is-A-Molecule.htm
– http://www.ivyroses.com/Chemistry/GCSE/What-is-a-molecule.php
– https://www.reference.com/science/difference-between-compound-molecule-32932d99a71627c8
– https://www.reference.com/science/atoms-form-bonds-5baa38ceeacad8b6
– http://www.sciencekidsathome.com/science_topics/how_do_atoms_bond.html
FAQ
1. Why do atoms form molecules?
Atoms form molecules because they want to achieve stability. Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The electrons are the outermost part of an atom and they are constantly moving. When atoms come together to form a molecule, they share, gain, or lose electrons in order to fill their outermost electron shells and become stable. This stability is achieved through the formation of chemical bonds between atoms. These bonds can be covalent, where electrons are shared between atoms, or ionic, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another. By forming molecules, atoms are able to achieve a more favorable electron configuration and lower their overall energy.
2. What is the role of electrons in the formation of molecules?
Electrons play a crucial role in the formation of molecules. Atoms are most stable when their outermost electron shells are full. To achieve this stability, atoms can either share, gain, or lose electrons. When atoms come together to form a molecule, they interact with each other’s electrons. In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons, whereas in ionic bonding, electrons are transferred from one atom to another. By sharing or transferring electrons, atoms are able to achieve a more stable electron configuration. The shared or transferred electrons form chemical bonds between the atoms, holding them together in a molecule. Without the involvement of electrons, atoms would not be able to form molecules and achieve stability.
3. How do covalent bonds contribute to the formation of molecules?
Covalent bonds play a significant role in the formation of molecules. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration. This sharing of electrons allows the atoms to fill their outermost electron shells and become more stable. Covalent bonds can be either single, double, or triple, depending on the number of electron pairs being shared between the atoms. The strength of a covalent bond is determined by the number of shared electron pairs. By forming covalent bonds, atoms are able to come together and create molecules with unique properties. These molecules can be simple, like water (H2O), or complex, like DNA.
4. What is the difference between covalent and ionic bonding in the formation of molecules?
The main difference between covalent and ionic bonding lies in the way electrons are shared or transferred between atoms. In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons in order to achieve stability. This type of bonding occurs between nonmetal atoms. On the other hand, in ionic bonding, electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another. This type of bonding occurs between a metal and a nonmetal atom. In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons equally or unequally, forming a molecule. In ionic bonding, one atom completely gains electrons to become a negatively charged ion (anion), while the other atom loses electrons to become a positively charged ion (cation). The resulting oppositely charged ions attract each other and form an ionic compound.
5. Can atoms form molecules without bonding with other atoms?
No, atoms cannot form molecules without bonding with other atoms. The formation of molecules requires the interaction and sharing or transferring of electrons between atoms. Atoms are most stable when their outermost electron shells are full, and they achieve this stability by bonding with other atoms. By bonding, atoms are able to fill their outermost electron shells and achieve a more stable electron configuration. This stability is crucial for the overall energy and reactivity of the atoms. Therefore, the formation of molecules is essential for atoms to achieve stability and exist in a more favorable state.
6. What role does stability play in the formation of molecules?
Stability plays a fundamental role in the formation of molecules. Atoms are constantly seeking stability, and they achieve this stability by bonding with other atoms to form molecules. Stability is achieved when atoms fill their outermost electron shells and attain a more favorable electron configuration. By forming chemical bonds, atoms can share, gain, or lose electrons to achieve stability. This stability is important for the overall energy and reactivity of the atoms. Without stability, atoms would be highly reactive and unstable. Therefore, the formation of molecules allows atoms to achieve stability and exist in a more balanced and favorable state.
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