2006-08-25 06:18:33 · 10 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
what make them stick together? and do they have less weight together than when they where single.
2006-08-25 06:59:39 · update #1
Oxygen and Hydrogen exist primarily as diatomic molecules (a molecule with two atoms) because that is the most stable configuration for their electrons. Atoms like to have their outer shell full of electrons (the octet rule) as for many atoms this means having 8 electrons available in the outer shell. Hydrogen breaks this rule because it is so small and its outer shell (an s orbital) can only hold two electrons, so the two Hydrogens bond together and share their electrons (one each making a single bond) with each other so each has two electrons available to it. An oxygen atom on the other hand has 6 electrons in its outer shell so two oxygen atoms get together and share two each of their electrons with the other atom (a double bond) and so each one has eight electrons available for the outer shell.
The Noble Gases, Helium, Neon, Argon etc, all already have 8 electrons in their outer shell and so their most stable form is just a single atom.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-25 06:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by Tesla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are single gases, but since thier electron orbitals (H the S orbital , and O teh P orbital) are not filled the lower energy configuration if for Hs and Os to share electrons, I beleive 1 for H and 2 for O.
Hope this helps.
Note He is a noble gas having its orbital completely filled thus doesn't combine with another He
2006-08-25 06:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by Dr JPK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen is one atom. And to answer your question, the reason is because a lot of atoms aren't stable, so they bond with another same atom to give a chemical balance. Such as O2.
Does that make sense at all?
:)
2006-08-25 06:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by American Wildcat 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
as single atoms they aren't stable. look at the periodic table. the 7 diatomic make a 7, and are much more stable as a diatomic molecule then as a single atom.
2006-08-25 06:26:55 · answer #4 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oxygen,nitrogen, hydrogen and others are in molecules instead of atoms bcause they bonded co-valently[elements that share electrons instead of giving out or accepting]. this can tak place only in gases or volatile liquids[liquids with less boiling points] bcause they are not bonded by strong forces. the shared electrons revolve in orbits controlled by both nuclei.
2006-08-25 06:43:38 · answer #5 · answered by OLUWATOSIN B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a lower energy level for the system (IE: a molecule of 02 can be defined as a system for our purposes) occurs when they pair up compared to them being separate.
2006-08-25 06:29:16 · answer #6 · answered by MrZ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oxygen and hydrogen do live as gases separate from each other. 02 and H2 are common gases.
2006-08-25 06:24:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jen H 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN DO NOT LIVE AS MARRIED ATOMS
THEY ARE SINGLE ATOMS
YOU ARE BREATHING OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN IS RESONSIBLE FOR FUSION IN SUN AND THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES WHICH PROVE THAT THEY CO-EXIST
THEY ARE SINGLE ATOMS AS GASES
2006-08-25 06:24:57 · answer #8 · answered by Prakash 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
allelements exist as molecules not as atoms.
They are split as atoms only during chemical reactions.
2006-08-25 06:28:19 · answer #9 · answered by Niketa B 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is more stable.
2006-08-25 06:30:02 · answer #10 · answered by JAMES 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋