Here's why:
* Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter. They are the smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element.
* Molecules are formed when two or more atoms bond together. These bonds can be either covalent (sharing electrons) or ionic (transferring electrons).
Examples:
* Water (H2O) is a molecule made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
* Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a molecule made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
* Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a molecule made of one sodium atom and one chlorine atom.
It's important to note that while a single atom can exist independently, a molecule is a distinct entity that is formed by the combination of two or more atoms.
