Atoms and Elements Basics

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🔬 Part 1: Understanding Atoms and Elements

What is an atom?
An atom is the smallest building block of everything around us. Think of it like the tiniest LEGO brick that makes up all materials. Atoms are so small you cannot see them, even with the strongest magnifying glass!

What is an element?
An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom. For example, gold is an element because it contains only gold atoms. There are 118 different elements, and they are all listed on the periodic table.

Draw and label a simple atom below:
Include: nucleus (centre), protons (+), neutrons (no charge), electrons (-)

1. An atom is the smallest building block of:

Only metals

Everything around us

Only liquids

Only gases

2. Which of these are elements? (Tick all that apply)

Oxygen (O)

Water (H₂O)

Carbon (C)

Salt water

🧪 Part 2: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Remember:

• Element: Made of one type of atom only (e.g., oxygen, gold)
• Compound: Two or more different atoms joined together (e.g., water, salt)
• Mixture: Different substances mixed together but not joined (e.g., salad, air)

3. Fill in the gaps using the words: element, compound, mixture

a) Iron (Fe) is an _____________ because it contains only iron atoms.

b) Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a _____________ because it contains carbon and oxygen atoms joined together.

c) A fruit salad is a _____________ because the different fruits are mixed but not joined together.

4. Look at the examples below and write whether each is an element, compound, or mixture:

a) Helium gas (He): _____________

b) Table salt (NaCl): _____________

c) Air (oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases): _____________

d) Pure gold (Au): _____________

5. Explain in your own words why water (H₂O) is called a compound: