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Molecule

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

The Crab Nebula is a beautiful cloud of glowing gas formed from the explosion of a star, showing incredible colors from different elements in space.

What Is a Molecule?

A molecule is a tiny group of atoms stuck together. Atoms are even smaller pieces that make up everything around us. When atoms join, they form molecules. These molecules are so small we can’t see them without special tools.

Molecules All Around Us

Molecules are everywhere! The air we breathe has molecules. The water we drink is made of molecules too. Even our bodies have many molecules that help us grow and stay healthy. For example, the oxygen we need to live is a molecule made of two oxygen atoms together.

How Molecules Work

Molecules stay together because of special forces called chemical bonds. These bonds act like glue between atoms. Scientists have studied molecules for many years. Famous scientists like Robert Boyle and Amedeo Avogadro helped us learn more about them. Today, we use this knowledge in many areas, like learning about living things and making new materials.

Fun Facts About Molecules

  • The word “molecule” comes from an old Latin word meaning a small piece of matter.
  • Some molecules are made of just two atoms, like the oxygen molecule.
  • Tools like atomic force microscopes can show us pictures of molecules!

Molecules are important because they help us understand how the world works, from the air we breathe to the water we drink.

Images

A close-up view of a single molecule on a surface, showing its tiny structure.
A close-up image of a special molecule called TOAT, showing its structure on a copper surface.
Historical chemistry diagrams illustrating scientific concepts from the 1800s.
Illustration of three chemical molecules, showing their structure and composition.
A scientific diagram showing the structure of a special molecule called a cyanostar, used in chemistry research.
A beautiful butterfly called Issoria lathonia resting on colorful flowers.
A 3D model showing the structure of nitrous oxide, a chemical compound made of nitrogen and oxygen atoms.
A 3D model showing the structure of ethanol, a type of chemical commonly studied in science classes.
A 3D model showing the structure of a Buckminsterfullerene molecule, made up of carbon atoms connected in a pattern resembling a soccer ball.
A scientific image showing the structure of pentacene molecules on a metal surface, viewed using a special microscope.
Animation showing how sodium and fluorine atoms form an ionic bond to create sodium fluoride.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Molecule, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.