New
New
Year 8

Atoms and elements

I can describe what a chemical element is and give some examples.

New
New
Year 8

Atoms and elements

I can describe what a chemical element is and give some examples.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. All matter is made up of atoms.
  2. Dalton’s model of an atom is of a sphere that cannot be broken up.
  3. An element is made up of only one type of atom.
  4. Each element is made of a different type of atom.

Common misconception

Pupils often struggle with the idea of how small an atom actually is.

Use examples to show how many atoms make up certain things, e.g. a cell or a grain of sand.

Keywords

  • Matter - Everything is made up of matter.

  • Atom - An atom is the building block of all matter.

  • Element - Each element is made up of only one type of atom.

Stress that only specialist microscopes (electron microscopes) capable of extensive magnification must be used in order to see an atom.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the apparatus to its use.
Correct Answer:Balance,To measure the mass of a substance.

To measure the mass of a substance.

Correct Answer:Thermometer,To measure the temperature of a substance.

To measure the temperature of a substance.

Correct Answer:Microscope,To view things which are too small to see.

To view things which are too small to see.

Correct Answer:Ruler,To measure the length of something.

To measure the length of something.

Correct Answer:Measuring cylinder,To measure the volume of a liquid.

To measure the volume of a liquid.

Correct Answer:Stop clock,To measure the time.

To measure the time.

Q2.
What happens to the overall mass when substances are mixed together?
The mass cannot be measured.
The mass decreases.
The mass increases.
Correct answer: The mass stays the same.
Q3.
Order the different units of mass from smallest to largest.
1 - milligram
2 - gram
3 - kilogram
4 - tonne (same as a megagram)
Q4.
Which of the following is a feature of a pure substance?
It contains different types of particles.
It has a variable melting point.
Correct answer: It is made of one type of particle.
It cannot be measured in grams.
Q5.
Everything is made up of particles. The shape of a particle is 3D and is represented as a ...
Correct Answer: sphere, ball
Q6.
Which of the following diagrams represents more than one substance?
An image in a quiz
a and b
b only
a, c and d
Correct answer: b and d
Q6 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the basic building block of all matter?
Elements
Correct answer: Atoms
Compounds
Molecules
Q2.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:Atom,Basic unit that all matter is made from.

Basic unit that all matter is made from.

Correct Answer:Elements,Substances made up from one type of atom.

Substances made up from one type of atom.

Correct Answer:Periodic table,Chart on which all the existing elements are arranged.

Chart on which all the existing elements are arranged.

Correct Answer:Chemical symbol,Shortened representation of an element's name.

Shortened representation of an element's name.

Q3.
According to Dalton's model of an atom, how are atoms represented?
As a cube.
Correct answer: As a sphere.
As a flat disc.
As a pyramid.
Q4.
Arrange the following in order of size from smallest to largest.
1 - An atom
2 - An element
3 - A biological cell
4 - A grain of sand
5 - An ant
Q5.
Match the following symbols to the element.
Correct Answer:Co,Cobalt

Cobalt

Correct Answer:K,Potassium

Potassium

Correct Answer:P,Phosphorous

Phosphorous

Correct Answer:S,Sulfur

Sulfur

Correct Answer:Na,Sodium

Sodium

Correct Answer:Cu,Copper

Copper

Q6.
Which of the following statements are correct?
C is short for the element name carbon.
C always stands for the substance carbon.
C means 1 atom of carbon.
Correct answer: C is the symbol for the element carbon.