Molecule Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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molecule
[ˈmɒlɪkjuːl ]
Definition
Context #1 | Noun
chemistry
A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, made up of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Molecules can be simple, consisting of just a few atoms, or complex, with hundreds or thousands of atoms.
Examples of usage
- The water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
- Carbon dioxide is a molecule composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Molecules are made up of atoms, and they can be simple like oxygen (O2) or complex like proteins.
- All living organisms, including you, are composed of millions of molecules working together.
- Chemical reactions involve the breaking and forming of bonds between molecules, allowing for changes in matter.
Pop Culture
- In popular media, molecules often represent the unseen forces that govern our world, such as in the film 'Fantastic Voyage'.
- The toy brand LEGO has even created sets that let children build models of molecules to inspire interest in science.
- Documentaries exploring the inner workings of life often feature the dynamics of molecules to explain complex biological processes.
History
- In the early 1800s, John Dalton proposed a 'atomic theory' that laid the groundwork for understanding molecules as combinations of atoms.
- The first successful model of a molecule was proposed by J.J. Thomson, who discovered the electron in 1897.
- The determination of the structure of DNA in 1953 by Watson and Crick was a groundbreaking moment in understanding complex molecules vital for life.
Technology
- Nanotechnology utilizes molecules to create advanced materials, influencing electronics and medicine.
- Researchers are exploring the use of molecules in drug delivery systems that target specific cells in cancer treatment.
- Molecular modeling software helps scientists visualize and simulate the behavior of molecular structures, paving the way for new discoveries.
Origin of 'molecule'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Latin 'moles', which means mass or mound, suggesting something that has volume.
- The prefix 'mole-' is derived from the diminutive form, indicating something very small.
- The concept first emerged in the 19th century, largely influenced by chemists like Avogadro.
The word 'molecule' originated from the Latin word 'molecula', which means a small mass. The concept of molecules was first introduced in the early 19th century by the chemist Amedeo Avogadro. Understanding molecules is crucial in the field of chemistry as they are the building blocks of all substances.