Final answer:
A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or compound with chemical properties of the substance, while a compound is a substance of two or more different elements bonded together. All compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds. The nature of the elements and the bonds they form distinguish molecules from compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between a Molecule and a Compound
Understanding the difference between a molecule and a compound is essential in chemistry. A molecule is defined as the smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that substance. Molecules can be either homonuclear, consisting of atoms from a single element like oxygen (O₂), or heteronuclear, consisting of two or more different atoms, as in the case of compounds like water (H₂O).
A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together. Each compound possesses a unique composition and properties different from the individual elements it is composed of. The smallest unit of a compound that still retains its specific chemical properties is a molecule. An example of this is water, which is always made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, represented by the chemical formula H₂O.
Therefore, all compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds. Molecular compounds are those formed typically between nonmetals, where the atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. On the other hand, ionic compounds involve the transfer of electrons between a metal and a nonmetal. The difference lies in the types of elements that make up the molecule, which determines whether the molecule is a compound or not.