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Atoms Elements and Periodic table
Build an Atom
Choose one of the games. For this task, you must remember that atoms are neutral (no overall charge). Once an atom has a charge (+ve or -ve), it is now called an ion.
An ion is positively charged if there are more protons than electrons.
An ion is negatively charged if there are more electrons than protons.
Atoms
Atoms
Everything is made from ATOMS, including you. Atoms are tiny particles that are far too small to see, even with a microscope. If people were the same size as atoms, the entire population of the world could stand on the tip of a pin!
ATOMS are made up of 3 main types of particles: ELECTRONS, PROTONS, and NEUTRONS. Each of these particles have different properties.
Electrons are tiny particles that have a negative electrical charge (-). They surround the center (nucleus) of the atom.
Protons are much larger and heavier than electrons and have the opposite charge. They have a positive electrical charge (+).
Neutrons are large and have a similar mass to protons. Neutrons have no electrical charge (0).
The nucleus is at the center of the atom and contains the protons and neutrons. Pretty much all the mass of the atom is concentrated at the nucleus, because the electrons have very little mass.
Elements
Elements are everywhere.
Elements are everywhere.
Scientists have found more than 130 types of atoms. ELEMENTS are pure substances made up of only one type of ATOM. Each element has its own name. For example, carbon, oxygen, and gold are all elements.
Over 130 elements make up all matter in the universe, but only about 20 elements are commonly found on Earth. Each type of element has a unique type of atom/particle (being the only one of its kind). The Earth, as well as all living things on it is made up of a combination of elements in different forms.
Many of the common types of elements are grouped in the first 20 elements out of 130+ elements. These elements can either be gas, liquid, or solid at room temperature.
The atoms of some elements do not join together, but instead stay as separate atoms. Helium is like this.
On the other hand, atoms of other elements, such as hydrogen and oxygen, join together to make molecules.
(Molecule = A collection of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds).
Pictured below: First 20 elements, in their pure form
Pictured below: First 20 elements, in their pure form
Other elements that are common can be found further down the list of elements. Many of these common elements tend to be metals
Other elements that are common can be found further down the list of elements. Many of these common elements tend to be metals
Each element is named and has its own symbol.
Each element is named and has its own symbol.
ELEMENTS consist of only one type of ATOM. Each element can be represented by its own special chemical symbol, which is made up of one or two letters.
The element symbols are one or two letters, formed from the name of the element. Such as H for hydrogen, or He for helium. The first letter of the symbol is always a capital letter. Any other letters are lower case. E.g. helium is He, not HE or he.
If the symbols are not based on an element's English name, then it is most likely to be based on its Latin name, the original language of Science. Some elements have a symbol based on their old Latin name, even though the name of the element has now changed to a more English one.
For example, if someone asked you to guess the chemical symbol for sodium, you would probably say 'S' or 'So'. However, sodium's Latin name is 'natrium'. The chemical symbol for sodium is 'Na' and comes from its Latin name.
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