What is meant by the atomicity of an element? Give some examples of polyatomic elements.

In a molecule of an element, there are a particular number of atoms present. The total number of atoms in a molecule of a particular element is known as its atomicity.

For example:

• An Oxygen molecule(O₂) has 2 atoms. Therefore atomicity is 2.
• Similarly, the Sulphur molecule (S₈) has 8 atoms and therefore atomicity is 8.