Is a molecule is a cluster of elements?

Question

Is that right?
Also, from smallest to largest does it go- atom, element, molecule? Am I missing something?


Thank you in advance, I am really wishing I had paid more attention in high school.

*Is a moelcue a cluster of elements

Answer 1

A molecule is a group of atoms, either of the same element or different elements. In the first case, it will be a pure element like Oxygen, Nitrogen etc. Oxygen molecule is O2, that is it has two atoms of oxygen.

A molecule of a chemical compound is the smallest unit of that compound. H2O for example, is water molecule and consists of 2 atoms of Hydrogen and 1 atom of Oxygen.

So, a molecule is a cluster of atoms. If the atoms are all of one type, it will be an element and not a compound. If atoms are combined chemically, they form molecules of chemical compounds. Mixtures by the way are just that, mixtures. Air for example, is a mixture of Oxygen (O2), Nitrogen (N2), a little water vapor (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Argon (Ar) etc.

Answer 2

An element is a pure substance. You can have just an atom of it or a huge quantity. But it must consist of only one kind of component. An atom is the smallest unit; a molecule is made up of more than one atom. They can be of the same element, as in O2 or O3, or they can have a composition of varied elements, as in C6H12O2.

Answer 3

in laymans terms yes u can say it's a cluster but chemically it is a group of combined atoms.

the element is the smallest...like nitrogen (N) then comes the atom like nitrogen gas(N2) then comes the molecule...(combination of atoms .like NO2)

Answer 4

No. It is one or more atoms of the same element. The order is atom then molecule. Elements are divided into partcles. These are smaller than atoms.Elements contain a nucleus and particles called protons and electrons.