Differentiating Atoms,

Molecules, and Ions

General Chemistry 1
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
One of the most common questions in chemistry is the
differences among atoms, molecules, and ions.

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Atoms can be
thought of as small
legos of different
colors, shapes, and
sizes. The larger and
more complex
structures are
likened to molecules.
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Each atom possesses
a characteristic
property that is
different from any
other atoms. When
they combine, they
form molecules.
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What are atoms and
molecules?

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Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

Differentiate among atoms, molecules, ions,

and give examples (STEM_GC11AM-Ic-e-20).

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Distinguish between an atom, a molecule, and an ion.

● Provide examples of atoms, molecules, and ions.

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How do we differentiate
atoms and molecules in
terms of their composition?

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Atom
● the basic building block of all matter

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Atom
● the basic building block of all matter
● the smallest piece of unit that maintains a unique
identity and property

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Atom
● the basic building block of all matter
● the smallest piece of unit that maintains a unique
identity and property
● made up of subatomic particles
○ protons
○ electrons
○ neutrons 11
 Atoms vs. Molecules

● element - the simplest form of

matter
● carbon atom: six protons, six
electrons, and six neutrons
● all atoms in an element will
always have the same number of
A carbon atom showing the
proton → atomic number protons (red), neutrons (blue),
and electrons (black). 12
 Atoms vs. Molecules

Isotopes
● atoms with the same number of protons (same
element) but with different number of neutrons

The isotopes of hydrogen 13

 Atoms vs. Molecules

Molecules
● made from the combination of two or more atoms
bonded together by a strong force of interaction

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Molecules
● made from the combination of two or more atoms
bonded together by a strong force of interaction
● the smallest part of a substance that retains the
physical and chemical properties of substance

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Molecules
● some elements exist naturally as molecules
○ diatomic molecules → hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2),
nitrogen (N2)
○ sulfur (S8)
○ phosphorus (P4)

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 Atoms vs. Molecules

Molecules
● compounds exist as molecules
○ combination of two or more atoms

carbon dioxide (CO2)

table salt (NaCl) table sugar (C12H22O1117)
from gas emissions
Remember

A molecule is made up of atoms of different

elements that are chemically bonded
together. It represents the smallest unit of a
compound.

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Is oxygen gas (O2) an atom or a
molecule? Why?

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How are ions formed?

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Ions
● chemical species with an overall electrical charge

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Ions
● chemical species with an overall electrical charge
● form when electrons move from one species to
another and the overall number of protons and
electrons changes
○ atoms gain or lose electrons
○ a proton never comes out of an atom
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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Anion
● negatively charged species
● number of electrons > number of protons

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Cation
● positively charged species
● number of electrons < number of protons

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Remember

Ions, charged species, are formed from the

movement of electrons from one atom to
another. The number of protons in the
atom is unchanged.

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Monoatomic Ions

● Metals typically lose electrons to form cations.

○ Na atom → Na+ ion + e-
○ Ca atom → Ca2+ ion + 2e-

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Monoatomic Ions

● Some metal can have more than one charge:

multivalent ions.
○ Cu → Cu+ + e-
○ Cu → Cu2+ + 2 e-

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Monoatomic Ions

● Nonmetals typically gain electrons to form anions.

○ Cl atom + e- → Cl- ion
○ O atom + 2e- → O2- ion

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Polyatomic Ions
● ions that contain more than one type of atom
● atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds

ammonium cation hydroxide anion

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How are ionic compounds
formed?

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 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compounds
● made from the combination
of cations and anions
● held together by strong
electrostatic forces between
oppositely charged ions
● electrically neutral The structure of NaCl where
green sphere are Cl- ions and the
blue sphere are Na+ cations. 31
 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compounds
● solid at room temperature
● requires high temperature to
break the attraction of ions
and melt the compound

The structure of NaCl where

green sphere are Cl- ions and the
blue sphere are Na+ cations. 32
 Ions and Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compounds
● strong electrolytes - species that conduct electricity
when dissolved in water as ions are free to move in
solution
● nonelectrolytes - species that do not conduct
electricity

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Atoms tend to combine with one another to form

more complex structural units called molecules.

● Ions are charged species formed from the gain and/or

loss of an electron/s of a neutral atom.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Cations are positively charged ions, and anions are

negatively charged ions.

● When ions are formed, only the number of electrons

are changed, the number of protons still remains the
same for any atom.

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