Question

What are a group of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds called?

Answer 1

Hint: Before answering this question, we should first know about an atom. The smallest unit of any matter that bonds and forms an element is an atom. It has components: Electrons and nucleus (protons+neutrons). Atoms form every solid, liquid, gas, etc.

Complete answer:
When two or more atoms are joined together chemically then a molecule is formed. The combination of atoms that are of two or different elements forms a compound. Every compound is a molecule but not every molecule is a compound. The compound water is formed when one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms combine. Molecules are also the cluster of atoms that are linked together by covalent bonds. Molecular compounds are the compounds that exist as molecules. The actual number of atoms that are present in a molecule is shown by it.
Now, let’s understand how atoms are joined together.
Molecules could either be linked together by a covalent bond or an ionic bond. Many elements are non-metal and exist only as molecules in the environment like hydrogen, it only exists as a hydrogen molecule. A molecule that is formed with two or more atoms of a single element is homonuclear.
The formation of a molecule happens when atoms come together because of their electrons. It could be done by electrons in two ways. When there is sharing of electrons between two atoms, they are bonded together by that sharing. These bonds are called covalent bonds.
So, A group of atoms held together by chemical bonds is molecules.

Note:
Compound is the bonding of two or more different atoms bonded together. It could be a molecule or a group of identical molecules held together. When two or more different atoms or molecules are together but not covalently bonded, i.e mixture. The bonding of two or more same atoms or different atoms is a molecule.