molecola

Molecola is the term used in chemistry to denote the smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains the properties of that substance. A molecule is composed of two or more atoms bonded together, typically by covalent bonds that involve sharing electron pairs. Molecules can be diatomic, such as O2 or N2, consisting of two atoms of the same element, or polyatomic, such as H2O or CO2, made from atoms of two or more elements. In most contexts molecules are neutral, but charged molecular species known as molecular ions also exist. In the solid state, many compounds form extended lattices rather than discrete molecules.

Most molecules arise from covalent bonding, although some species involve more complex bonding patterns. Ionic compounds, by contrast, form crystalline lattices of ions and are not generally described as discrete molecules in the solid phase, though individual molecules can exist in solution or gas phases. Molecular shape matters: the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms (molecular geometry) influences reactivity, polarity, and physical properties. Simple molecules tend to have straightforward geometries (linear, bent, or tetrahedral), while larger biomolecules and polymers exhibit greater structural complexity and flexibility.

Representation and measurement: A molecule’s composition is expressed by a molecular formula (for example, H2O or CO2), while a structural formula shows which atoms are connected and how. Molecular mass (measured in daltons) and molar mass (grams per mole) relate to the amount of substance. The concept of the molecule is central across chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science, underpinning reactions, spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. The term molecola derives from Latin and Greek roots meaning a small mass.