Atoms, elements and compounds
I can describe elements as being made up of only one type of atom, and that elements can combine chemically to form compounds.
Atoms, elements and compounds
I can describe elements as being made up of only one type of atom, and that elements can combine chemically to form compounds.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
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.
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.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Atoms, elements and compounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Atoms, elements and compounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Atomic structure and the periodic table unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
10
26
17
11
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The smallest particle that everything is made up of.
Made up of only one type of atom.
Made of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.
A shorthand way of listing the type and number of atoms in a compound.