Chapter 1, Problem 1RQ

What is the difference between an atom and a molecule? A molecule and a crystal?

To determine

Differentiate among a molecule, an atom and a crystal.

Explanation of Solution

Write the differences among the molecule, an atom, and a crystal.

Molecule	Atom	Crystal
1. A molecule is a combination of two or more atoms.	1. An atom is the smallest particle in an element having the properties of the element in it, which means, this is the un-split-able part of an element.	1. Crystals are formed when metals from liquid or soft state are solidified as the atoms get rearranged into different neat configurations. This is what we know as crystals.
2. It is not visible to the naked eye, though it can be seen with the help of a high capacity magnifying microscope and some other devices.	2. We cannot see atoms through our naked eyes. Atoms are also the basic building blocks.	2. A crystal consists of atoms, molecules or ions ordered in a highly densed microscopic structure where those are bound together by inter atomic forces also known as chemical bonds. For example, ionic bonds, metallic bonds, Vander Waals bonds, covalent bonds and so on.
3. Properties such as physical or chemical are depend on atoms from that they are bonded.	3. Properties such as physical or chemical are depend only on one type of atom.	3. In case of crystal, physical or chemical properties are depending on parent atom, molecules, ions etc.