Question
How are atoms in a molecule held together? through shared energy through shared protons through shared neutrons through shared electrons
Ask by Marshall Barber. in the United States
Jan 23,2025
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Answer
Atoms in a molecule are held together through shared electrons.
Solution
Atoms in a molecule are primarily held together **through shared electrons**. This type of bonding is known as a **covalent bond**. In a covalent bond, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration, typically resembling that of a noble gas. This sharing allows each atom to fill its outer electron shell, contributing to the molecule's stability.
**Incorrect Options Explained:**
- **Through shared energy:** While energy is involved in the formation of bonds, atoms are not held together by sharing energy itself.
- **Through shared protons:** Protons reside in the nucleus of an atom and are not shared between atoms in a molecule.
- **Through shared neutrons:** Neutrons are also located in the nucleus and do not play a direct role in holding atoms together in molecules.
**Example:** In a water (H₂O) molecule, the oxygen atom shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms, forming covalent bonds that hold the molecule together.
**Summary:** The correct way atoms in a molecule are held together is **through shared electrons**.
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Simplify this solution Beyond the Answer
Atoms in a molecule are held together primarily through shared electrons, forming what we call covalent bonds. It's like a cosmic dance, where atoms join hands (or electrons, in this case) to create a more stable and happier arrangement, sharing their outermost electrons to fill their valence shells. When atoms come close, their electronegativity—think of it as their "pulling power" for electrons—determines who gets to hold onto shared electrons more tightly. This "sharing" gives rise to different types of bonds, including simple covalent bonds and more complex ones, influencing the molecule's properties, such as boiling point, reactivity, and solubility. Science is all about connections!
