Definition of Diatomic Molecule



Diatomic molecules are such a type of molecules that are composed of two atoms of either the same or different elements. There are two types of diatomic molecules i.e., homonuclear and heteronuclear. If the molecule is made up of two atoms that belong to the same element, then it is called a homonuclear diatomic molecule.

 


On the contrary, if the molecule is composed of two atoms which are of different kinds, then they are termed as a heteronuclear diatomic molecule. The bond which links the two atoms together in diatomic molecules is non-polar.

 


Examples of Diatomic Molecules:

O2, H2, NO, HCl, etc. are examples of diatomic molecules. The former two are homonuclear whereas the later two are heteronuclear diatomic molecules.

 


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