1A: ATOMS, ELEMENTS AND MOLECULES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

◼ Know the terms atom, element, ion, molecule, compound.

AN ELEMENT:

An element is a substance that contains atoms of only one type, so it is chemically the
simplest substance that cannot be broken down using chemical reactions.

Examples:

 Neon Ne is an element?

Because it contains only neon atoms. It cannot be broken down into atoms of any other
element.

 Water is not an element?

Because it can be broken down into the elements hydrogen and oxygen.

Isotopes:

 Some elements contain isotopes. ( more in Topic 2).

 All isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons and electrons, but
different numbers of neutrons.

Ex: Neon contains three stable isotopes, 20Ne, 21Ne, and 22Ne.

AN ATOM: is the smallest part of an element that has the properties of that element.

 Atoms contain even smaller particles (protons, neutrons and electrons).(Topic 2)

A MOLECULE: is a particle made of two or more atoms bonded together.

A molecule of an element: a molecule contains atoms of the same element.

Ex: H2 has one symbol (H) & two atoms of hydrogen.

Dr.Eman Badry email: biochemist9987@gmail.com WhatsApp: +905551727187/+201507619873

A molecule of a compound: a molecule contains atoms of two or more different elements.

Ex: H2O has two different symbols (H,O) & 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen.

A COMPOUND: is a substance containing atoms of different elements combined

together.

AN ION: is a species consisting of one or more atoms joined together and having a
positive or negative charge.

Cation: is an ion with a positive charge.

Anion: is an ion with a negative charge.

Monatomic:

Elements that are made up of single atoms,helium He.

Ions that are made up of single atoms, Chloride (Cl–).

Diatomic:

Elements made up of two atoms joined together, N2,O2.

Compounds made up of two atoms joined together,HCl.

Ions made up of two atoms joined together,(HO– or OH–).

Polyatomic:

Elements with molecules made up of several atoms joined together, P4.

Compounds with molecules made up of several atoms joined together,CH4.

Ions made up of several atoms joined together, sulfate ion (SO42–).

Dr.Eman Badry email: biochemist9987@gmail.com WhatsApp: +905551727187/+201507619873