A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains the chemical properties of that compound. It consists of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
There are two main types of molecules:
The structure of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of its atoms and the types of chemical bonds present. The arrangement of atoms in a molecule is represented by its molecular formula and can be depicted using structural formulas, ball-and-stick models, or space-filling models.
The properties of a molecule are determined by its composition, structure, and the types of chemical bonds present. These properties include polarity, solubility, melting and boiling points, and reactivity.
Molecules can interact with each other through various forces, such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and dipole-dipole interactions. These interactions play a crucial role in determining the physical and chemical properties of substances.