moleküüli

Moleküül is a fundamental concept in chemistry and physics. It refers to a stable group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. These atoms can be of the same element, as in a molecule of oxygen (O2), or of different elements, as in a molecule of water (H2O). The atoms within a molecule are arranged in a specific three-dimensional structure, and this arrangement, along with the types of atoms present, determines the molecule's properties.

Molecules are the smallest unit of a substance that retains the chemical and physical properties of that substance. For example, a single molecule of water exhibits all the characteristics of water, such as its liquid state at room temperature and its ability to dissolve many other substances. The study of molecules, their structure, behavior, and interactions is known as molecular science.

The forces that hold atoms together in a molecule are primarily covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms, and ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating charged ions that attract each other. Van der Waals forces are weaker intermolecular forces that can act between molecules, influencing their physical properties like boiling points and melting points. Understanding molecular structure and bonding is crucial for explaining and predicting chemical reactions and the properties of matter.