Diatomic Molecule
Diatomic molecules are molecules composed only of two atoms, of either the same or different chemical elements. The prefix di- is of Greek origin, meaning two. Common diatomic molecules are hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Seven elements exist as homonuclear diatomic molecules at room temperature: H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2. Many elements and chemical compounds aside from these form diatomic molecules when evaporated. The noble gases do not form diatomic molecules: this can be explained using molecular orbital theory (see molecular orbital diagram).
Read more about Diatomic Molecule: Occurrence, Molecular Geometry, Historical Significance, Energy Levels, Further Reading
Famous quotes containing the word molecule:
“We can come up with a working definition of life, which is what we did for the Viking mission to Mars. We said we could think in terms of a large molecule made up of carbon compounds that can replicate, or make copies of itself, and metabolize food and energy. So that’s the thought: macrocolecule, metabolism, replication.”
—Cyril Ponnamperuma (b. 1923)