What is a group of atoms bonded together called?

A group of atoms bonded together is referred to as a molecule. This term encompasses any combination of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded, regardless of whether the atoms are of the same element or different elements. When atoms come together and form bonds, they create a stable structure, which we identify as a molecule.

For instance, a molecule of water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together, forming a new entity with distinct properties from the individual atoms alone.

While a compound is a specific type of molecule made up of atoms from different elements, the broader term is "molecule," which applies to both compounds and diatomic elements (like O₂ or N₂). An ion refers to an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge, while a solution is a homogeneous mixture of substances, with solutes dissolved in a solvent.