Question

How do molecules differ from atoms?

Answer 1

Hint:Before solving this question, first we have to understand the basic definitions of atoms and molecules. We all know that; the atom is the smallest unit while the molecule is the combination of two or more atoms.

Complete answer:
The basic difference between atoms and molecules is that atoms are the smallest particle whereas molecules are the combination of two or more atoms. Other difference between an atom an a molecule is mentioned below:

Atom	Molecules
Atoms are generally the most fundamental and the smallest part which can exist of an element.	Molecules are the combination of two or more atoms which are chemically bonded together.
Examples of atoms are:Oxygen atom – OPhosphorus atom- P	Examples of molecules are:Oxygen molecule -${{O}_{2}}$ Water molecule -${{H}_{2}}O$
It is not important that an atom is always stable in nature because of the presence of electrons in the outer shells.	Atoms combined to form molecules to attain stability.
The constituent elements of atoms are protons, electrons and neutrons.	The constituent elements of molecules are two or more atoms of the same atom or different elements.
Except some of the elements, all other atoms show some type of reactivity.	The reactivity of molecules is quite less because atoms combined to form molecules to attain stability.

Note:
The constituent particles of an atom are protons, neutrons, electrons and many other particles. But in the beginning of the atom theory the atom was considered the smallest particle which cannot be divided further.