Starter quiz
- What is matter?
- anything that takes up space and has mass ✓
- only liquids and solids
- only gases
- energy
-
- Match the following elements with their correct atomic number (found on the periodic table).
- Neon⇔10 ✓
- Iron⇔26 ✓
- Chlorine⇔17 ✓
- Sodium⇔11 ✓
- Melting ice is an example of ...
- a chemical change.
- a physical change. ✓
- both a physical and chemical change.
- neither a physical nor chemical change.
-
- Match the subatomic particles with their correct charge.
- Proton⇔Positive ✓
- Neutron⇔Neutral ✓
- Electron⇔Negative ✓
- Where is the majority of an atom's mass located?
- in the electrons
- in the nucleus ✓
- evenly distributed throughout the atom
-
- The term "nucleus" is used in multiple subjects but refers to different things. What does the nucleus refer to in chemistry?
- the centre of an atom, containing protons and neutrons ✓
- the part of a cell that contains genetic material
- a cluster of neuronal cell bodies within the brain
- a dense cluster of stars or galaxies, especially at the centre of a galaxy
-
Exit quiz
- Which subatomic particles are the basic building blocks of atoms?
- electrons only
- protons only
- protons and neutrons
- protons, neutrons and electrons ✓
- none of these
-
- What defines an element?
- the number of electrons
- the number of protons ✓
- the number of neutrons
- the number of molecules
-
- How do chemists communicate chemical compositions universally?
- through detailed descriptions
- by using element symbols in formulae ✓
- with full chemical names
-
- Match the following terms with their definitions.
- Atom⇔The smallest particle that everything is made up of. ✓
- Element⇔Made up of only one type of atom. ✓
- Compound⇔Made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together. ✓
- Chemical formula⇔A shorthand way of listing the type and number of atoms in a compound. ✓
- Hydrogen (H₂) is able to be described as ...
- a compound.
- an element. ✓
- a mixture.
- a molecule. ✓
-
- Everything around us is made of different combinations of ______, either on their own as elements, or in compound form.
- 'atoms' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Atoms of every element consist of the same three subatomic particles.
- All elements consist of their own atoms, with a unique number of protons defining the element.
- Everything around us is made of different combinations of atoms, either on their own, or in compound form.
- We use element symbols in formulae as a common language to share chemical compositions.
Common misconception
Students often think that an elemental diatomic molecule, e.g. hydrogen, is a compound because they see two atoms chemically joined together.
The teacher needs to emphasise the definition for compounds. Molecules are not the same as compounds, some molecules are compounds, not all.
Keywords
Atom - An atom is the smallest particle that everything is made up of.
Element - An element is made up of only one type of atom, a list of elements can be found on the periodic table.
Compound - A compound is made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.
Chemical formula - The chemical formula of a molecule is a shorthand way of listing the type and number of atoms in a compound.
Chemical composition - The chemical composition tells you the different types of atoms in a chemical.