What is a simple defintion of a molecule for 3rd grade level?

Answer 1

A molecule is two or more atoms chemically joined together. If you started cutting a sample of a compound like water into smaller and smaller pieces the smallest piece you could get that would still be water is the molecule. If you could cut that molecule into smaller pieces you would get atoms of hydrogen and oxygen.

Answer 2

The smallest amount of a substance that can exist.

Use the example of a block of metal or some other familiar substance. Or a glass of water.If you divide it exactly in half, and throw away one half, then divide the remaining portion exactly in half, and continue such divisions, will you ever reach the point where you have none of the substance left? Let them offer their opinions.

Then explain that the answer is "yes". A molucule is the smallest amount of a substance that you can have, therefore once you get down to 8 molecules, 4, 2, 1 molecule, if you divide it again there is none of the substance left. Gets them thinking.

Answer 3

Probably the best thing you can do to teach them is to make tiny balls of different colors and sizes representing some simple elements. Define an atom as the simpliest part of an element that still retains the characterisitics of the element; and define an element as a pure substance made up of only one kind of atom.

Now use the playdough balls to show what different, simple, kinds of molecules look like.

Seeing is usually better than just talking.

Answer 4

A molecule is a group of atoms, similar or different, that are connected by chemical bonds. Water, H20, is a molecule, as os O2, which is the oxygen molecule.

Answer 5

Molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that normaly exist alone and still retain the chemical properties of that substance be it element or compound.

Answer 6

As far as i know it is a group of atoms held together by a covalent bond.

Answer 7

Use the sun and moon for an idea.

Answer 8

a group of things which everything is made of