The main difference between an element and a molecule lies in the composition and structure of these substances.
- Element: An element is a substance made up entirely of one type of atom. Elements are the simplest substances and cannot be broken down any further. Examples of elements include hydrogen, oxygen, and gold.
- Molecule: A molecule is a substance that contains two or more atoms, which can be of the same element or different elements, chemically bound together. Molecules can be classified into two types:
- Single-element molecule: A molecule made up of only one type of atom, such as H2 (hydrogen).
- Multi-element molecule: A molecule made up of more than one type of atom, such as CO2 (carbon dioxide), which is composed of carbon and oxygen.
In summary:
- Elements are substances made up of one type of atom and cannot be broken down further.
- Molecules are substances composed of at least two atoms, which can be of the same or different elements, chemically bound together.
Comparative Table: Element vs Molecule
Here is a table highlighting the differences between elements and molecules:
Feature | Elements | Molecules |
---|---|---|
Definition | Elements are the simplest substances made up of only one type of atom. | Molecules are groups of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. |
Structure | Elements can exist as individual atoms or as molecules made up of two atoms chemically bonded. | Molecules can be simple or complex, made up of one or more chemical elements. |
Properties | Elements have unique physical and chemical properties. | Molecules have properties that depend on the constituent elements and their bonding. |
Stability | Elements may not always be stable in nature due to the presence of electrons in the outer shells. | Molecules are formed to gain stability, as atoms combine to fill their outer electron shells. |
Examples | Examples of elements include oxygen (O), helium (He), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and hydrogen (H). | Examples of molecules include oxygen (O2), phosphorus (P4), sulfur (S8), and water (H2O). |
Read more
- Element vs Molecule
- Molecule of Element vs Molecule of Compound
- Atom vs Molecule
- Molecule vs Atom
- Atomic vs Molecular Elements
- Particle vs Molecule
- Molecules vs Compounds
- Atoms vs Elements
- Molecule vs Mixture
- Element vs Compound
- Elements vs Compounds
- Isotopes vs Elements
- Mineral vs Element
- Atom vs Compound
- Molecule vs Lattice
- Cell vs Atom
- Organic vs Inorganic Molecules
- Molecular Equation vs Ionic Equation
- Ionic vs Molecular Compounds
- Molar Mass vs Molecular Mass