Which of the following best explains how atoms become molecules?

• A. Atoms form chemical bonds by sharing or transferring electrons.
• B. Atoms are compressed together by external pressure to form molecules.
• C. Atoms merge their nuclei to create molecules.
• D. Atoms lose all their electrons to become molecules.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that atoms become molecules primarily through interactions involving their electrons, not by merging nuclei or losing all electrons.
2. Recall that chemical bonds are the forces that hold atoms together in molecules, and these bonds form when atoms share or transfer electrons.
3. Recognize the two main types of chemical bonds: covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons, and ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
4. Eliminate incorrect options such as atoms merging their nuclei (which would imply nuclear reactions, not chemical bonding) and atoms losing all electrons (which would not result in stable molecules).
5. Conclude that the best explanation is that atoms form chemical bonds by sharing or transferring electrons, which leads to the formation of molecules.