Why do atoms form molecules?

Atoms form chemical bonds with other atoms when there's an electrostatic attraction between them. This attraction results from the properties and characteristics of the atoms' outermost electrons, which are known as valence electrons. read more

Atoms form bonds with other atoms because of the electrostatic attraction between positively-charged protons and negatively-charged electrons. When this force of attraction brings atoms together to form substances containing two or more atoms, the bond is called a chemical bond. read more

Many of the elements will form molecules: for example, oxygen will form molecules consisting of two oxygen atoms. However, oxygen can also be linked to the molecules of other elements: for instance, water is made of one oxygen molecule and two hydrogen molecules. read more