Question

What is atomicity?

Answer 1

The number of atoms present in a molecule of an element is called its atomicity.

It can be classified into:

1. Monoatomic molecules: contains 1 atom eg: Xenon ($Xe$)

2. Diatomic molecule: contains 2 atoms eg: Oxygen ($O_2$)

3. Triatomic molecule: contains 3 atoms eg: ozone ($O_3$)

4. Tetratomic molecule: contains 4 atoms eg:phosphorus ($P_4$)

5. Polyatomic molecule: contains more than 4 atoms eg sulphur ($S_8$)