Question

What is a diatomic molecule?

Answer 1

Diatomic molecule: A molecule that is made up of two atoms is called a diatomic molecule.

• Almost all diatomic molecules are gases at ambient temperature.
• At higher temperatures, some compounds that exhibit crystalline or other atomic structures at normal temperatures become diatomic.
• Some compounds which are diatomic molecules include carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, and nitric oxide.

Examples: The elements that normally occur as diatomic molecules are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and halogens. When we speak of hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, or any of the halogens, we referring to $H_2,{\mathrm{N}}_2,{\mathrm{O}}_2,{\mathrm{F}}_2,{\mathrm{Cl}}_2,{\mathrm{Br}}_2,\mathrm{and}{\mathrm{I}}_2$.