New
New
Lesson 1 of 9
New
New
- Year 8
Atoms and elements
I can describe what a chemical element is and give some examples.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All matter is made up of atoms.
- Dalton’s model of an atom is of a sphere that cannot be broken up.
- An element is made up of only one type of atom.
- Each element is made of a different type of atom.
Keywords
Matter - Everything is made up of matter.
Atom - An atom is the building block of all matter.
Element - Each element is made up of only one type of atom.
Common misconception
Pupils often struggle with the idea of how small an atom actually is.
Use examples to show how many atoms make up certain things, e.g. a cell or a grain of sand.
Stress that only specialist microscopes (electron microscopes) capable of extensive magnification must be used in order to see an atom.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the apparatus to its use.
Match the apparatus to its use.
Q2.What happens to the overall mass when substances are mixed together?
What happens to the overall mass when substances are mixed together?
The mass cannot be measured.
The mass decreases.
The mass increases.
Q3.Order the different units of mass from smallest to largest.
Order the different units of mass from smallest to largest.
Q4.Which of the following is a feature of a pure substance?
Which of the following is a feature of a pure substance?
It contains different types of particles.
It has a variable melting point.
It cannot be measured in grams.
Q5.Everything is made up of particles. The shape of a particle is 3D and is represented as a ...
Everything is made up of particles. The shape of a particle is 3D and is represented as a ...
Q6.Which of the following diagrams represents more than one substance?
Which of the following diagrams represents more than one substance?
a and b
b only
a, c and d
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the basic building block of all matter?
What is the basic building block of all matter?
Elements
Compounds
Molecules
Q2.Match the word to its definition.
Match the word to its definition.
Q3.According to Dalton's model of an atom, how are atoms represented?
According to Dalton's model of an atom, how are atoms represented?
As a cube.
As a flat disc.
As a pyramid.
Q4.Arrange the following in order of size from smallest to largest.
Arrange the following in order of size from smallest to largest.
Q5.Match the following symbols to the element.
Match the following symbols to the element.
Q6.Which of the following statements are correct?
Which of the following statements are correct?
C is short for the element name carbon.
C always stands for the substance carbon.
C means 1 atom of carbon.
