Question

Give an example of a diatomic molecule.

Answer 1

Hint :Atoms are the smallest unit of a chemical element and combine with other atoms to form molecules. The total number of atoms that contribute to form a molecule is termed as atomicity of the molecule.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Atomicity is the most common word used in chemistry. It is the total number of atoms which are present in a molecule. The molecules can be divided into four types on the basis of its atomicity as follows:
Monoatomic molecule: It is a molecule which is composed of one atom only and does not share its electrons via any chemical bond. Example: Helium $ (He) $ , Neon $ (Ne) $ , etc.
Diatomic molecule: It is a molecule which is composed of two atoms that can be the same or different, depending on the nature of the molecule. Most of the gases in the atmosphere are diatomic molecules. If the molecule consists of two same atoms, then it is termed as homonuclear. Example: Oxygen gas $ ({O_2}) $ , hydrogen gas $ ({H_2}) $ , nitrogen gas $ ({N_2}) $ , etc.
Triatomic molecule: It is a molecule which is composed of three atoms. Example: ozone $ ({O_3}) $ , water $ ({H_2}O) $ , carbon dioxide $ (C{O_2}) $ , etc.
Polyatomic molecule: These are electrically neutral molecules which are composed of more than three atoms via covalent bonding. Example: methane $ (C{H_4}) $ , benzene $ ({C_6}{H_6}) $ , etc.
Hence, an example of a diatomic molecule is oxygen molecule $ ({O_2}) $ .

Note :
Atoms combine to form molecules in order to gain stability and for acquiring fully filled electronic configuration of nearest inert gas. Molecules further combine to form compounds by undergoing chemical reactions.