Atoms and Molecules - Introduction

Atoms and molecules are the building blocks of matter. They are the smallest particles that make up everything around us. Understanding atoms and molecules is essential to understanding the world we live in. Let’s dive into the details.

What are Atoms?

Atoms are the smallest particles of an element that cannot be broken down further. They are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus while electrons orbit the nucleus. The number of protons in an atom determines the element it belongs to.

What are Molecules?

Molecules are made up of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded together. They can be made up of atoms of the same element or different elements. For example, a water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Atomic Mass and Molecular Mass

The atomic mass of an element is the mass of a single atom of that element. The molecular mass of a compound is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecule.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions occur when atoms or molecules interact with each other to form new substances. In a chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged to form new compounds.

Law of Conservation of Mass

The Law of Conservation of Mass states that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants is equal to the total mass of the products.

Conclusion

Atoms and molecules are the basic building blocks of matter. Understanding them is crucial to understanding the world around us. By studying atoms and molecules, we can understand chemical reactions and how they contribute to the formation of new substances.

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