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Question

Give examples of monoatomic, diatomic, triatomic, and polyatomic elements.


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Solution

Atomicity: It is the total number of atoms in a molecule. Molecules may be monoatomic, diatomic, triatomic, and polyatomic depending on the number of atoms.

Monoatomic molecules: Molecules that are made up of only one atom are monoatomic. Their molecular formula is the same as their symbol. Examples include the inert gases helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar). The atomicity of monoatomic molecules is 1.

Diatomic molecules: A diatomic molecule is made up of two atoms. Many gaseous elements exist as diatomic molecules. The molecular formula of each element is the symbol of the element followed by 2 in subscript Examples include hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2,) and nitrogen (N2). The atomicity of diatomic molecules is 2.

Triatomic molecules: A triatomic molecule is made up of three atoms. Ozone (O3,), a form of oxygen, is a triatomic molecule. The atomicity of triatomic molecules is 3.

Polyatomic molecules: A polyatomic molecule is made up of more than three atoms. Phosphorus (P) as P4 and sulphur (S) as S8 occur in nature as polyatomic molecules. Their atomicities are 4 and 8, respectively.


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