Triatomic Molecules: Definition, Examples, and Properties

Triatomic refers to a molecule or ion that has three atoms bonded together. In chemistry, triatomic molecules are relatively rare compared to diatomic (two-atom) and tetratomic (four-atom) molecules, but they do exist and can be found in various compounds.

Some examples of triatomic molecules include:

1. BF3 (boron trifluoride): This is a common example of a triatomic molecule, with three atoms of boron bonded to three atoms of fluorine.
2. N2O (nitrous oxide): This molecule consists of two nitrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, making it a triatomic molecule.
3. CO2 (carbon dioxide): Although this molecule is more commonly thought of as a diatomic molecule (CO2), it can also be considered triatomic because the carbon atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms.
4. H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide): This molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, making it a triatomic molecule.

In general, triatomic molecules are less stable than diatomic or tetratomic molecules because the bonds between the atoms are more flexible and can be easily broken. However, some triatomic molecules can be quite stable and play important roles in various chemical reactions.