molekylää

Molekyyli is a Finnish term that translates to "molecule" in English. A molecule is an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. The term molecule was first introduced by the Italian chemist Amedeo Avogadro in 1811, though the concept was not widely accepted until much later. Molecules are the smallest possible unit of a chemical compound that retains the chemical properties of that compound. For example, a water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, and it is the fundamental building block of water.

Molecules can be composed of atoms of the same element, such as oxygen gas (O2), or different elements, such as carbon dioxide (CO2). The arrangement of atoms within a molecule, known as its structure, is crucial as it determines the molecule's physical and chemical properties. These properties include melting point, boiling point, solubility, and reactivity. Scientists study molecules using various techniques, including spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, to understand their behavior and interactions. The study of molecules and their interactions is the core of chemistry, particularly organic chemistry and physical chemistry.