What is a diatomic molecule-?

Answer 1

Diatomic moleculesDiatomic molecules are molecules composed of two atoms ("di" meaning 2 and "atomic" for atoms) of the same or of different elements.

All the elemental gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, etc., form diatomic molecules - except the inert gases, of course. We find H2, N2, O2, Fl2, Cl2, and others in chemical equations because the gas atoms don't want to hang out by themselves in their elemental form. The atoms would rather (and actually do) travel around with a "buddy" until such time as they enter into a chemical reaction.

We find that carbon monoxide, CO, is a diatomic molecule, and then there are NaCl (table salt), HCl (hydrochloric acid), and a list of other chemical compounds of similar structure (meaning two atoms paired up) that could fill a book. We won't fill a book here, but we will supply you with a link to the Wikipedia post on the diatomic molecule so you can do some further reading. Oh, and you'll find that link below.

Answer 2

Diatomic molecules contain just two atoms. Hydrogen and nitrogen are examples of diatomic elements.