The simplest molecular compound; two atoms in a compound.

The simplest molecular compound; two atoms in a compound.

• A. Molecules
• B. Molecular Compound
• C. Diatomic Molecule
• D. Substance

Answer: (C)

Two atoms bound together form the simplest kind of molecule. When a molecule has exactly two atoms, it is called a diatomic molecule. The name comes from di- meaning two, so it specifically describes two-atom molecules, whether they’re the same element (like O2 or H2) or two different elements (like CO). Molecules is a broader term that can include groups larger than two atoms, so it isn’t specific to the two-atom case. Molecular compound refers to covalently bonded compounds, which often have more than two atoms in a molecule (for example, water has three). Substance is a general term for any matter with a definite composition, not a description of molecular size. So the best term for a molecule made of two atoms is diatomic molecule.

Two atoms bound together form the simplest kind of molecule. When a molecule has exactly two atoms, it is called a diatomic molecule. The name comes from di- meaning two, so it specifically describes two-atom molecules, whether they’re the same element (like O2 or H2) or two different elements (like CO).

Molecules is a broader term that can include groups larger than two atoms, so it isn’t specific to the two-atom case. Molecular compound refers to covalently bonded compounds, which often have more than two atoms in a molecule (for example, water has three). Substance is a general term for any matter with a definite composition, not a description of molecular size.

So the best term for a molecule made of two atoms is diatomic molecule.