Question

What is the difference between a molecule and a compound?

Answer 1

Molecule: A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist independently.

A molecule is formed when two or more atoms bonded chemically. A compound is formed when different elements bonded chemically. Thus a molecule of a compound has two or more elements.

All compounds are molecules but all molecules are not compounds. Hydrogen is a molecule but not compound. Water is a compound. Water is made up of two atoms of oxygen and one atom of oxygen these atoms combined to form a compound known as water. Smallest particle of water is called a molecule.