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Year 8

Properties of elements

I can describe the chemical and physical properties of different chemical elements.

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New
New
Year 8

Properties of elements

I can describe the chemical and physical properties of different chemical elements.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Elements are chemically pure, but can react together.
  2. Each element has a fixed melting point and boiling point.
  3. Each element has particular physical properties.
  4. Each element has particular chemical properties.
  5. The properties of elements are different from those of a single atom.

Common misconception

Students often confuse the difference between chemical and physical properties.

A chemical property describes how an element will react with other substances. Physical properties describes the appearance and behaviour.

Keywords

  • Pure substance - A pure substance contains only one type of chemical.

  • Property - A property of a substance is a feature or characteristic that can be used to classify it, or describe how it behaves.

  • Physical property - A physical property of a substance describes how a substance appears and behaves, e.g. boiling point.

  • Chemical property - A chemical property describes chemical changes that happen to a substance in chemical reactions to form new substances.

It is a good idea to emphasise when teaching physical properties that they relate to the element alone, while chemical properties involve the element reacting with other substances.
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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In chemistry, what does it mean if a substance is described as 'pure'?
It is clean and safe to use.
Correct answer: It contains only one chemical substance.
It is natural and not man-made.
It has been filtered.
Q2.
An element on the Periodic Table is made up of only one type of ...
Correct Answer: atom, atom.
Q3.
Which statements explain why elements are considered to be pure substances?
They are always safe to handle.
Correct answer: They are made of only one type of atom.
They are found in nature.
Correct answer: They cannot be physically separated into other substances.
Q4.
A is a characteristic of something that helps us describe or identify it.
Correct Answer: property
Q5.
An example of a is the flavour of a lemon. It can be said to have a sour taste.
Correct Answer: property
Q6.
Which properties would be essential for making a saucepan?
shiny
Correct answer: good conductor of heat
Correct answer: lightweight
brittle
Correct answer: high melting point

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do elements have fixed melting and boiling points?
They change colour at certain temperatures.
Correct answer: They are pure substances.
They react chemically at these temperatures.
They dissolve at these temperatures.
Q2.
Which of the following are physical properties of an element?
Correct answer: colour
reactivity with acid
Correct answer: acidity
boiling point
reactivity with water
Q3.
Which of the following is not a physical property of an element?
density
melting point
hardness
shininess
Correct answer: flammability
Q4.
A physical change is to reverse, e.g. melting or boiling. (Fill the blank with either difficult or easy)
Correct Answer: easy
Q5.
True or false? In chemical reactions, new substances are always formed.
Correct answer: True
False
Q6.
Every element has its own combination of properties.
Correct Answer: unique, distinct, particular, specific