No, O₂ is not a compound.
Understanding the Difference Between Molecules and Compounds
A molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond together. These atoms can be of the same element or different elements.
A compound, however, is a specific type of molecule. It's a molecule composed of atoms from two or more different elements. The atoms in a compound are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio.
O₂ (oxygen gas) is a molecule because it consists of two oxygen atoms bonded together. However, since these atoms are both oxygen – the same element – it does not meet the definition of a compound.
- Examples of Molecules: O₂, H₂ (hydrogen gas), N₂ (nitrogen gas)
- Examples of Compounds: H₂O (water), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), NaCl (sodium chloride)
The key difference lies in the elemental composition: compounds require at least two different elements; molecules can be formed from atoms of the same or different elements. Because O₂ contains only oxygen atoms, it is a molecule, but not a compound.
