1) Atoms are the building blocks of all matter and are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. 2) Elements are substances made of only one type of atom, while compounds contain different types of atoms bonded together. 3) Some common elements and their symbols include hydrogen (H), helium (He), carbon (C), oxygen (O), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and silver (Ag).

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Atoms and Elements

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Atoms
Atoms are the “building blocks” of all matter and are the
simplest form of molecule. They are all made up of
protons, neutrons and electrons. They look something like
this:
The Nucleus – this
contains neutrons and
protons
Electrons – these orbit
around the nucleus

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Elements
If a solid, liquid or gas is made up of only one type of
atom we say it is an element. For example, consider a
tripod made up of iron:
These atoms are
ALL iron – there’s
nothing else in here

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Compounds
Compounds are
different to
elements. They
contain different
atoms. Here are
some examples: Methane
Sodium
chloride (salt)
Glucose

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Some simple compounds…
Carbon
Methane, CH4 Water, H2O dioxide, CO2
Key
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Ethyne, C2H2
Sulphuric Carbon
acid, H2SO4
Sulphur

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Elements and symbols that
you should know:
Part 1 – The obvious ones:
1) Hydrogen H 8) Oxygen O
2) Helium He 9) Fluorine F
3) Lithium Li 10)Neon Ne
4) Beryllium Be 11) Magnesium Mg
5) Boron B 12)Aluminium Al
6) Carbon C 13)Silicon Si
7) Nitrogen N 14)Phosphorus P

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Some more obvious ones:
15)Sulphur S 18) Calcium Ca
16)Chlorine Cl 19) Zinc Zn
17)Argon Ar
The less obvious ones:
1) Sodium Na 6) Tin Sn
2) Potassium K 7) Gold Au
3) Iron Fe 8) Mercury Hg
4) Copper Cu 9) Lead Pb
5) Silver Ag