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Chemistry - Elements and Compounds (AQA)
Scientists once believed that there were only four elements - earth, water, air and fire.

Chemistry - Elements and Compounds (AQA)

Elements and compounds build the chemical world around you. Learn how simple substances join together to form new materials with very different properties.

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Fascinating Fact:

Compounds have new properties. Sodium is reactive and chlorine is toxic, sodium chloride is safe to eat.

In GCSE Science (Chemistry), you compare elements made from one type of atom with compounds made from joined atoms. You use formulas and models to show how new substances are formed.

  • Element: A pure substance made from only one type of atom, such as copper, oxygen or chlorine.
  • Compound: A substance formed when atoms of different elements are chemically joined together in fixed ratios.
  • Chemical formula: A way of showing which elements a substance contains and how many atoms of each are present.
What is the difference between an element and a compound?

An element contains only one type of atom, but a compound contains two or more different elements chemically bonded together in fixed proportions.

Why do compounds have different properties from their elements?

When atoms join to form compounds, new bonding and structures are made. These changes give the compound different physical and chemical properties from the original elements.

How do you recognise a compound from its chemical formula?

A compound has a formula with more than one element symbol, such as NaCl or H2O, showing different atoms are combined together.

1 .
All elements and compounds are made from what?
Atoms
Molecules
Ions
Varying quantities of fire, earth, air and water
Molecules are made by joining atoms together
2 .
Which of the following is the correct definition of a compound?
A substance containing atoms of one element
A substance containing atoms of two elements
A substance containing atoms of two elements chemically bonded
A substance containing atoms of two or more elements chemically bonded
The first answer is completely wrong - it describes and element.
The second and third answers are only partly correct - they don't go far enough
3 .
In chemical equations the atoms of each element are represented by what?
Numbers
Colours
Shapes
Symbols
A chemical symbol always begins with a capital letter. Co (cobalt) is VERY different to CO (carbon monoxide)
4 .
Which of the following best describes the atoms of an element?
The atoms of an element are round
The atoms of an element are the same colour
The atoms of an element are the same type
The atoms of an element are solid
This is one of the basic definitions in chemistry
5 .
Which of the following lists contains the missing words from the following passage in the right order?

There are over a __________ different types of atom, called __________. The atoms of a particular element are ___________ to each other. They cannot be changed ____________ into any different element. _________ are substances that contain atoms of at least two elements chemically combined.
hundred, elements, identical, chemically, compounds
lot, hundred, compounds, elements, joined
hundred, compounds, identical, chemically, elements
elements, hundred, compound, same, joined, ions
Make sure that you know and understand the differences between elements and compounds for the exam. One way or another, your knowledge of these basic concepts will be tested
6 .
Which of the following lists contains only metallic elements?
Al, CO, Fe, Mg, Au
Na, Li, I, Zn, Fe
Fe, Al, Na, Mg, Zn
Cu, Pt, Fe, Ag, Br
The first answer is designed to test if you recognise that the symbol for an element has only one capital letter. CO is a compound of carbon and oxygen, some of you may have thought it was the metal, cobalt (symbol Co)
7 .
Elements normally exist as atoms but they can form charged particles called ions. How do they do this?
It happens when the atoms are rubbed on a piece of fabric
They lose or gain at least one electron
It can only happen to them in a Van-der-Graaf machine
They are only formed in space where there are cosmic rays
This is what happens during ionic bonding between metals and non-metals
8 .
Which of the following is a compound containing non-metals only?
Sodium carbonate
Methane
Calcium chloride
Iron fluoride
Methane is a hydrocarbon and contains no metal atoms
9 .
When atoms join together to form molecules what happens to their electrons?
A pair of electrons is transferred from one atom to the other
The atoms lose at least one pair of electrons
The atoms gain at least one pair of electrons
The atoms share at least one pair of electrons
This is covalent bonding and it occurs only when non-metallic elements combine
10 .
Elements are listed on the periodic table and can be classified as metals and non-metals. Where are they found on the periodic table?
Metals on the right, non-metals on the left
Metals on the left, non-metals on the right
They are not arranged in any particular order
The non-metals are at the centre with metals around the outside
The elements on the left of the dividing line between metals and non-metals are called metalloids (sometimes they are referred to as semi-metals)
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Atoms, elements and compounds - AQA

Author:  Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)

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