I am doing chemistry right now. Our teacher, for homework, asked us to find the difference between a molecule and a lattice. But a Google search reveals nothing, so I came here instead. Can someone explain the difference between a molecule and a lattice, preferably not with too much jargon, as we are barely beginning the course right now? Thanks.

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From what I know, a molecule is any stable, neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

A lattice, on the other hand, can be considered as a really large molecule that can span three dimensions.

Look at it this way. Liquids and gases are always molecules. Solids, on the other hand, tend to be lattices. Graphically speaking, molecules look like balls or branchy trees while lattices are ordered 3D matrices.

Er... I hope I could expound more but it's been a long day. If this thread's still not resolved, tomorrow, perhaps

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A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together so that, overall, there is a neutral charge on the group. Examples of molecules include H₂O, HCN, H₂SO₄ or C₂H₅OH. Each of those examples is made from atoms that are bonded together to form a molecule. You will also find that each of those molecules has a particular shape, a certain size and particular angles between each of the bonds.

In a liquid or gas these molecules can move pretty much where they want. However, in a solid, these molecules are fixed in position. You will often find that a substance's molecules will fall into a fixed regular pattern when solidified. This is the lattice. For example, table salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) forms an ionic lattice when in solid form. The Na⁺ and Cl^- ions fit into a regular shape and pattern.

A good example of the importance of whether a substance forms a lattice, and what sort it forms, is carbon. Diamond - very expensive and quite pretty, and graphite - dull and ugly, are both exactly the same substance: pure carbon. What differs is the way the carbon atoms are arranged. In diamond they form a lattice structure, which is very strong and durable. In graphite, they form layers which flake off easily (hence why its used in pencils).

 

 

 

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