Molecular Facts and Structures

Learn to see the world around you in molecular detail with this collection of chemistry facts and structures, about both individual molecules and groups of related molecules.

  • The first bubbles that form when boiling water are air bubbles. Later, water vapor bubbles form.
    What Are the Bubbles in Boiling Water?
  • Atomic weight vs. atomic mass
    The Difference Between Atomic Weight and Atomic Mass
  • The colors in the flame
    How Flame Test Colors Are Produced
  • Models of Polythene and Polyamide
    Monomers and Polymers in Chemistry
  • Functional groups determine the reactions and properties of organic compounds.
    Common Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry
  • Bowl of French fries close up.
    What Are Lipids and What Do They Do?
  • Close up on test tubes in laboratory with blurry background.
    Organic Chemistry Prefixes and Suffixes
  • Close-Up Of Salt Shaker Spilled On Table
    What Is Table Salt?
  • Atomic mass
    How to Calculate Atomic Mass
  • A colorful molecules model
    What Is the Difference Between Atomic Radius and Ionic Radius?
  • Elementary particles in an atom
    10 Interesting Facts About Atoms
  • Bohr model of the atom
    Bohr Model of the Atom Explained
  • The periodic table organizes elements by the number of protons in their atoms.
    How Many Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons in an Atom?
  • Acetone compound
    Organic Compounds Starting with A
  • Molecule model
    Molecules and Moles in Chemistry
  • Detail of inlay on a Mycenaean bronze dagger showing a lion hunt, 16th century
    Electrum Metal Alloy
  • Test tubes
    Qualitative Analysis in Chemistry
  • The three parts of an atom are protons and neutrons, which form the nucleus, and electrons, which orbit the nucleus.
    Basic Model of the Atom and Atomic Theory
  • You can find fluoride in fluoridated toothpaste.
    What Is Fluoride? Fluoride vs. Fluorine
  • Carbon almost always forms covalent bonds
    What Type of Bonds Does Carbon Form?
  • Overhead view of a woman painting her nails
    The Chemical Composition of Nail Polish
  • Stylized illustration of a Methane molecule
    Name the First 10 Alkanes
  • Brightly colored liquid in flasks
    Transition Metal Colors in Aqueous Solution
  • Close up 3D rendering of ethanol molecule.
    The Chemical Composition of Rubbing Alcohol
  • The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is nitrogen. Even though you may see a lot of clouds, water vapor only account for up to 4% of the composition.
    What Is the Most Abundant Gas in Earth's Atmosphere?
  • The atom is the basic building block of all matter.
    What Is an Atom?
  • There are more carbon compounds than for any other element except hydrogen.
    What You Should Know About Carbon Compounds
  • Battery acid caution sign on a plastic container.
    What Is Battery Acid? Sulfuric Acid Facts
  • An atom must contain at least one or more protons. Most atoms
    What Are Some Examples of Atoms?
  • Ethene molecule
    How To Name Simple Alkene Chains
  • The double bond connecting the carbon and oxygen in carbon dioxide makes the molecule highly stable, so it doesn't readily pick up a hydrogen atom and become organic.
    Why Carbon Dioxide Isn't an Organic Compound
  • A bottle of champagne in a wooden barrel with ice
    Freezing Temperature of Alcohol
  • Ethyne molecule
    Simple Alkyne Chains
  • brass Hand bell
    Is There an Element Symbol for Brass?
  • Samarium (Sm) is a lanthanide and rare earth element.
    Samarium Facts: Sm or Element 62
  • Wedge and dash rendering of methanol
    What Is a Wedge and Dash Projection in Chemistry?
  • Most molecular model sets include the proper bond angles for atoms so you can see the molecular geometry of molecules when you make them.
    Molecular Geometry Introduction
  • Sucrose (table sugar) chemical formula
    What Is the Chemical Formula of Sugar?
  • Young Asian holding a model standing in front of a chalkboard.
    The Definition of Ortho, Meta, and Para in Organic Chemistry
  • Hassium is a man-made radioactive metal.
    Hassium Facts - Hs or Element 108
  • The hydroxyl functional group is an oxygen-containing group based on an alcohol or OH group.
    What Is the OH Functional Group Called?
  • The moon
    What Is the Moon Made Of?
  • Each element has its own unique atomic number, which is the number of protons in its atom.
    What Is the Atomic Number?
  • Products with petroleum jelly
    What Is Petroleum Jelly? Chemical Composition
  • This image depicts the distribution of electric potential across the hydronium cation.
    What Is Hydronium? Chemistry Definition
  • Model of an helium atom
    Make an Atom Model
  • When contact lenses were invented, they were made of glass. Modern contacts are polymers that absorb water and permit gas exchange.
    What Are Contact Lenses Made Of?
  • Molecular structure
    Why Do Protons and Neutrons Stick Together?
  • Molecules
    Name Reactions in Organic Chemistry
  • Acetic acid is the primary acid in vinegar.
    What Is the Chemical Composition of Vinegar?
  • This is the structure of carbon tetrachloride.
    What Is the Name of the Covalent Compound CCl4?
  • Close-Up Of Fresh Sliced Oranges On Cutting Board
    Is Vitamin C an Organic Compound?
  • Methyl aminolevulinate drug molecule
    Naming Simple Alkyl Chain Functional Groups
  • Beads of moisture on man's neck and back, close-up
    The Chemical Composition of Human Sweat
  • This shows the difference between ipso-, meso- and peri- arene substitution patterns.
    Ipso, Meso, and Peri Substitutions in Organic Chemistry
  • Laboratory Research - Scientific Glassware For Chemical Background for Experiments in the Chemical laboratory in science classroom interior.
    Butyl Functional Group Names
  • Acephate insecticide molecule, displaying geometric isomerism.
    Geometric Isomerism: Cis and Trans
  • This is the three-dimensional structure of beta-cyclodextrin, the active ingredient in Febreze.
    C - Organic Compounds
  • Functional groups are parts of molecules responsible for characteristic reactions.
    Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry
  • Heptane molecule
    Alkanes Nomenclature and Numbering
  • This is the ball and stick structure of a unit cell of a sodium nitrate crystal.
    Chemical Structures Starting with the Letter S
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