ATOMS and Molecules

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How do we distinguish between atoms and molecules?

Definition of ATOM is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be the same substance

What is an Element? Definition of Element: A substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical or physical means.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?? Atoms are composed of small particles that determine the properties of the atom. There are three types of subatomic particles: Neutron – neutral charge; holds the protons in the center of the atom (nucleus); largest Proton -- positively charged particles; determines the identity of the element; Electron – negatively charged particles; smallest; rapidly move around the nucleus

WHAT IS AN ATOM MADE OF?

Molecules are very small objects that are made up of connected atoms What are Molecules? Molecules are very small objects that are made up of connected atoms

What Do Molecules Look Like? Molecules can take on all kinds of different shapes and sizes Let’s look at a few!

Water H H O H2O

Air Nitrogen N Oxygen O

Sugar C6H1206

Salt (Sodium Chloride) Sodium with water video NaCl

It depends on whether they are in a solid, liquid, or gas Do Molecules Move? Yes, they do! How do they move? It depends on whether they are in a solid, liquid, or gas

IDENTIFYING SUBSTANCES ATOM – smallest unit of an element that maintains the properties of that element. EX: O MOLECULES – any two or more joined atoms that are the same or different COMPOUNDS – two or more different atoms that are joined EX: NaCl

Copy the chart and put a under the appropriate column(s). SUBSTANCE MOLECULE COMPOUND HCl

Molecule Activity 1. Water 2. Carbon Dioxide

Molecule Activity 3. Ammonia 4. Methane