07/11/2021
Atom is made up of subatomic particles, (1) proton, (2) neutron, and (3) electron.
It is the backbone to build everything. Element, molecule, compound and radical are all made of atoms.
Why can’t we just call an element an atom?
Same number of protons – Element / Atom
Different number of protons – Atom
Each element is made of a specific and unique type of atom. Everything in the universe is made of one or more elements.
For example,
Mercury is an element with 80 protons in its nucleus. It has an atomic number of 80.
Copper is made of atoms with 29 protons in the nucleus. Therefore, it has an atomic number of 29.
A molecule is formed when two or more atoms/elements bonded together. For example, O2 has two oxygen elements OR H2 has two hydrogen elements bonded together, they both have the same element.
A compound is two or more different elements bonded together. For example, H2O has two hydrogen elements and one oxygen element bonded together, they are different elements.
However, H2O can be a molecule as well because as long as two or more elements bonded together, we can just call it a molecule.
Therefore, all compounds are molecules BUT not all molecules are compounds.
We can only call something a compound when two DIFFERENT elements bonded together.
A radical (often, but unnecessarily called a free radical) is an atom or group of atoms that have one or more unpaired electrons. Radicals can have positive, negative or neutral charge.
Both cannot be broken down due to being the smallest unit of matter.
Everything is made of atom including element, molecule, compound, radical, etc.
