Molecular Compounds

A molecular compound is a substance made of molecules formed when atoms bond together by sharing electrons. These bonds are called covalent bonds.

Methane, the gas in a stove’s blue flame, is a molecular compound made of carbon and hydrogen.

Water is another example; it consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

To name a molecular compound, consider nitrogen oxide; start with the element farthest to the left on the periodic table. Here, it's nitrogen.

Now, add the second element’s name with the suffix “-ide.”, making it oxide. Use prefixes like “di-” when two oxygen atoms are present, such as nitrogen dioxide. Similarly, use “tri-” when three oxygen atoms are present, as in sulfur trioxide.

Scientists often use models to study molecular compounds. Some examples are ball-and-stick models, space-filling models, and Lewis dot structures. These models help visualize how atoms connect and share electrons.

Molecular compounds have unique properties, like low melting points and poor electrical conductivity, which distinguish them from other compounds.