polyatomic

1 7.2

A molecule that has more than two atoms

adjective
/ˌpɒliəˈtoʊmɪk/

Specialized

: poliatómico

Chemists often analyze polyatomic ions to explore their behavior in different environments.

Now this also transfers to polyatomic molecules.

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Examples

A polyatomic molecule consists of more than two atoms, such as water or carbon dioxide.
Like a system of interconnected balls and springs, a polyatomic molecule can be excited into a range of vibrational motions.

Academic text (2012)
So there are many problems like a polyatomic molecule.
But this is not true for polyatomic molecules.
The study of polyatomic molecules helps scientists understand complex chemical reactions.

Antonyms

monoatomic

Specialized

1 9.0

Contains only single atoms, not molecules, like helium gas

How Many Atoms

polyatomic

Specialized

1 7.2

triatomic

Specialized

1 7.1

diatomic

Specialized

1 6.9

monoatomic

Specialized

1 9.0

Surface Forms

polyatomic positive

Morphology

polyatomic = atomic (transparent) = poly + atom + ic

The word is built productively from poly- plus atomic, and its chemical meaning follows directly from the meanings of those parts.

Etymology

The word polyatomic comes from poly- 'many' and atomic from atom 'small part', and poly- is the same 'many' you see in polygon (a shape with many sides). So, a polyatomic molecule is one made of 'many' atoms — in other words, more than two atoms.