Final answer:
F2, Br2, and I2 are diatomic molecules and molecular elements, not compounds, since they are composed of two atoms of the same nonmetal element chemically bonded together.
Step-by-step explanation:
F2, Br2, and I2 are all examples of diatomic molecules because they are formed from two atoms of the same element chemically bonded together. They are not considered compounds, because compounds consist of atoms of two or more different elements that are chemically combined. Therefore, the correct answer is a. are molecules, but not compounds.
A molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together, and since these substances consist solely of nonmetals, they form molecular elements, not compounds. In the case of substances like F2 (fluorine), Br2 (bromine), and I2 (iodine), these are diatomic molecules, which means they are composed of two atoms of the same element, which qualifies them as molecular elements.