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[[File:Adelphan-molecule.png|thumbnail|right|350px|Adelphan molecule]]
A '''molecule''' is a group of two or more [[atom]]s which form one unit
A '''molecule''' is a group of two or more [[atom]]s which form one unit
linked together by [[covalent bond]]s.
linked together by [[covalent bond]]s.
A molecule typically does not have electrical [[charge]] (see also [[polyatomic ion]]).
A molecule typically does not have electrical [[charge]] (see also [[polyatomic ion]]).
Most molecules are composed of two or more elements, but they can also be composed of multiple atoms from the same element. Single element, bimolecular molecules which are more commonly known as homonuclear diatomic molecules<ref>http://xbeams.chem.yale.edu/~batista/vvv/node33.html</ref><ref>http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/gloss/homodiatomic.html</ref> include many elementary [[gas]]es, such as [[oxygen]] (O<sub>2</sub>), [[hydrogen]] (H<sub>2</sub>) and [[fluorine]] (F<sub>2</sub>). Single element compounds also include man-made compounds such as [[buckminsterfullerene]]s, which are "balls" of 60 carbon atoms, as well as natural carbon compounds like [[graphite]] and [[diamond]]s, and most [[metal]]s.
Most molecules are composed of two or more [[element]]s, but they can also be composed of multiple atoms from the same element. Single element, bimolecular molecules which are more commonly known as homonuclear diatomic molecules<ref>http://xbeams.chem.yale.edu/~batista/vvv/node33.html</ref><ref>http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/gloss/homodiatomic.html</ref> include many elementary [[gas]]es, such as [[oxygen]] (O<sub>2</sub>), [[hydrogen]] (H<sub>2</sub>) and [[fluorine]] (F<sub>2</sub>). Single element compounds also include man-made compounds such as [[buckminsterfullerene]]s, which are "balls" of 60 carbon atoms, as well as natural carbon compounds like [[graphite]] and [[diamond]]s, and most [[metal]]s.
Molecules are typically specified by indicating what atoms they are made of and how many of each they possess. If there is more than one of an atom, its count is given by a subscript. Water has two [[hydrogen]] atoms and one [[oxygen]] atom, so it is H<sub>2</sub>O.
Molecules are typically specified by indicating what atoms they are made of and how many of each they possess. If there is more than one of an atom, its count is given by a subscript. Water has two [[hydrogen]] atoms and one [[oxygen]] atom, so it is H<sub>2</sub>O.
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Chemical formula]]
*[[Chemical formula]]
*[[Compound]]
==References==
==References==