Atomicity

A molecule is the smallest part of a substance capable of a free existence. It also displays the properties of the substance to which it belongs. Molecules do not have a charge because the atoms combine and form stable electronic configurations by sharing or transferring receiving electrons. The creation of a molecule requires atoms to form chemical bonds. And the result of these bonds is a specific number of atoms that come together to form the molecule.

Atomicity

Atomicity is the number of atoms that form a molecule. An example will better explain this. The carbon dioxide molecule is made up of one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen. The carbon atom has four valence electrons. It shares two electrons with one oxygen atom and two with another oxygen atom. So the total number of atoms in a molecule of carbon dioxide is 3. Hence the atomicity of carbon dioxide is 3.

Substances can be classified based on the number of atoms their molecules are made up of in the following categories:

1. Monoatomic: These are substances whose molecules are made up of one atom. This is a combination of mono and atomic, meaning a single atom. These are usually gases. These elements are generally stable at standard temperature and pressure in a monoatomic state. Noble gases are stable as single atoms at standard temperature and pressure, so they are monoatomic. So monoatomic is the atomicity of non-metals. Examples of monatomic substances are argon, neon, helium, xenon, etc.
2. Diatomic: Substances that have two atoms in their molecules are called diatomic. The prefix ‘di-’ is of Greek origin. If a diatomic molecule is made up of the same two atoms, it is homonuclear. If the atoms making up a diatomic molecule are of different elements, then the molecule is said to be heteronuclear. Non-polar bonds form homonuclear diatomic molecules. There are only five elements that form stable homonuclear diatomic molecules, all of which are gases. They are as follows: oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine. So diatomic is atomicity of non-metals too.
3. Triatomic: The substances formed of molecules made up of three atoms are called triatomic. Some examples of triatomic molecules include water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide.
4. Polyatomic: All the molecules made up of four or more atoms are known as polyatomic molecules. One molecule of sulphur is made up of 8 molecules, and one molecule of phosphorus is made up of 4 molecules. So both sulphur and phosphorus are polyatomic molecules.

Conclusion

Chemistry is a vast subject that studies the different ways in which matter behaves and interacts. Each substance has different properties and structures. Different substances interact in different ways under varied circumstances. When substances interact, they transform, and there is a release or absorption of energy during these interactions.

All this comes under the purview of chemistry. These subjects require a minute knowledge of the functioning of molecules. Atomicity helps advance towards understanding the minutiae of the dynamics of molecular interactions. The atomicity of non-metals and metals helps understand the weight and the shape of the molecule. This information is crucial when dealing with chemical reactions. Hence atomicity is a critical concept to study in chemistry.