A particle model of chemical reactions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can draw particles diagrams of reactants and products to show how they are rearranged by a chemical reaction.
Key learning points
- Reactants are the chemicals that react in a chemical reaction.
- Products are the chemicals that are formed in a chemical reaction.
- The products and reactants in a chemical reaction contain exactly the same atoms.
- The atoms in the products of a chemical reaction are bonded differently to the same atoms in the reactants.
Keywords
Reactants - Reactants are the elements or compounds before a reaction takes place. Reactants are found on the left-hand side of a chemical equation.
Products - Products are the elements or compounds that are formed after a reaction has taken place. Products are found on the right-hand side of a chemical equation.
Common misconception
The idea that atoms can be created or destroyed when new products are formed.
Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only arranged differently to be formed into new products.
Teacher tip
Use many examples of different particle diagrams to demonstrate how the number and type of atoms in the reactants are the same as in the products.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is true about elements?
Q2.A metal sulfate contains the group of elements -SO₄, nitrates have the group -NO₃ and have the group -CO₃.
Q3.What elements are present in the calcium chloride?
Q4.What of the following is an example of a molecular element?
Q5.Match the reacting elements with the compound formed.
copper oxide
copper sulfate
potassium bromide
potassium bromate
zinc carbide
zinc carbonate
Q6.What indicates a compound in a chemical formula?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with its definition.
substances present before a chemical reaction has taken place.
substances formed after a chemical reaction has taken place.
Q2.In a chemical reaction, what happens to the atoms?
Q3.In the chemical equation 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, what are the reactants?
Q4.Which of the following is a characteristic of a chemical reaction?
Q5.After the reaction 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O, what happens to the total number of atoms?
Q6.In the equation 2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl, what is the simplest ratio of sodium (Na) atoms to chlorine (Cl) atoms in the reactants?
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: A particle model of chemical reactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: A particle model of chemical reactions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Atoms, elements and compounds unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.