In a gaseous state, atoms exist as individual particles that are not chemically bonded to each other. They move freely and independently, with a lot of empty space between them. Gases are composed of a large number of these individual atoms, which are in constant motion and exhibit minimal interactions with each other.
In a gas, the atoms are typically at relatively high energies, allowing them to overcome the attractive forces between them. This results in a lack of strong intermolecular forces, allowing the atoms to move around with high mobility and occupy a larger volume compared to their condensed states, such as liquids or solids.
It's important to note that while gases are primarily composed of individual atoms, there are also cases where molecules exist as the fundamental units in a gaseous state. Molecules are formed when two or more atoms chemically combine. Examples include diatomic molecules like oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2), as well as compounds like carbon dioxide (CO2) or water (H2O). In these cases, the molecules act as the individual particles in the gas, rather than individual atoms.