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Multiple Choice
Which of the following chemical formulas represents a molecule?
A
NaCl
B
O2-
C
CO2
D
K+
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the difference between an ionic compound, an ion, and a molecule. A molecule is a group of atoms bonded covalently, sharing electrons, and typically consists of nonmetals.
Step 2: Analyze each formula given: NaCl is an ionic compound made of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions, not a molecule because it forms an ionic lattice.
Step 3: O2⁻ is an ion (specifically a superoxide ion), not a neutral molecule, because it carries a charge.
Step 4: CO2 is a neutral compound made of carbon and oxygen atoms covalently bonded, fitting the definition of a molecule.
Step 5: K⁺ is a potassium ion, a single charged atom, not a molecule.