Definitions
- Referring to a group of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded together. - Talking about the smallest unit of a compound that retains its chemical properties. - Describing the structure of a substance made up of two or more atoms.
- Referring to a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. - Talking about a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom. - Describing the basic building blocks of matter.
List of Similarities
- 1Both molecule and element are related to chemistry and the study of matter.
- 2Both refer to fundamental units of matter.
- 3Both are used to describe the composition of substances.
What is the difference?
- 1Composition: Molecule refers to a group of two or more atoms bonded together, while element refers to a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
- 2Size: Molecule is typically smaller than element, as it is made up of only a few atoms, while element can consist of many atoms.
- 3Function: Molecule describes the structure of a substance, while element describes the basic building blocks of matter.
- 4Variety: There are many different types of molecules that can be formed by combining different elements, while there are only a limited number of elements that exist in nature.
- 5Naming: Elements are named based on their atomic number, while molecules are named based on their composition and structure.
Remember this!
Molecule and element are both important concepts in the study of chemistry and matter. While they share some similarities, such as being fundamental units of matter and describing the composition of substances, they differ in terms of size, composition, function, variety, and naming. Molecule refers to a group of two or more atoms bonded together, while element refers to a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
