Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

(Created prior to 1993)

Question: What is the smallest molecule?
------------------------------------------------
Well, if we define a molecule as something that has more than one 
atom, the smallest molecules would be diatomic molecules (molecules with two 
atoms).  The smallest diatomic molecule is hydrogen gas, H2, which consists of 
two protons and two electrons.  Other common diatomic gases which have more 
electrons and more massive nuclei are O2 (oxygen), NO (nitrogen oxide), and CO 
(carbon monoxide).
Topper
=========================================================