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Elements, Atoms and Compounds

Subject: Science

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Overview

An element is the simplest form of a pure substance, which cannot be split up into two or more simpler substances by any chemical reaction. A compound is a substance of atoms of two or more elements formed by the chemical combination in a definite proportion by weight. This note provides information about elements, compound, molecules, and atoms.
Elements, Atoms and Compounds

A matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. Book, wood, pens, water etc. are the examples of matter.

The substances which is composed of its unit particles of a similar kind are known as pure substances. The substances which are composed of unit particles of different nature are known as impure substances.

Element

An element is the simplest form of a pure substance, which cannot be split up into two or more simpler substances by any chemical reaction. All the substances are made up of elements. Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, gold etc. are the examples of elements.

Symbol

A symbol is defined as the abbreviation of the full name of an element. Using the English alphabet symbols of elements are expressed. There are three main ways of making symbols.

    1. Using the first letter of the name of elements.
      S.N Elements Symbol
      1 Hydrogen H
      2 Fluorine F
      3 Iodine I
    1. If the name of two or more elements begins with the same letter, another significant letter is taken with the first letter.
      S.N Elements Symbol
      1 Helium He
      2 Lithium Li
      3 Silicon Si
      4 Zinc Zn
      5 Bromine Br
  1. Using letters from the name of elements of their original root also make symbols. So, symbols are derived from Latin and some are from German.
    S.N Elements Name in other language Symbol
    1 Antimony Stibnum (Latin) Sb
    2 Copper Cuprum (Latin) Cu
    3 Silver Argentum (Latin) Ag
    4 Sodium Natrium (Latin) Na
    5 Tungsten Wolfan (Germany) W

Compound

Compound is a substance of atoms of two or more elements formed by the chemical combination in a definite proportion by weight. For example, water is a liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen in which two elements are present in a fixed ratio of 1:8 by weight. For example, water is a compound because it is made of more than one element- Hydrogen and Oxygen in the ration of 2:1. The molecular formula of water is H2O.

Molecule

The smallest particle of an element or compound, which is capable of independent existence is called molecule. It retains the properties of its own. It is very small. It is difficult to estimate the size of a molecule or to determine its shape. Some of the examples of molecules are H2O (water), CO2 (Carbon dioxide), etc.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element, which takes part in chemical change is called an atom.

Structure of the atom

Atom is made up of tiny particles. These tiny particles are called sub-atomic particles or elementary particles. They are electrons, neutrons, and protons. The protons and neutrons are located at the center of an atom called nucleus. Nucleus shows the positive charge due to the presence of protons. It helps to find the atomic weight. The electrons are revolving around the nucleus in their respective orbit or shell.

Atomic number

The number of protons or the number of electrons in an electrically neutral atom of an element is called atomic number. It is denoted by Z.

Mathematically.

Atomic number (Z) = No. pf protons (p+) = No. of electrons (e-)

Atomic weight

The sum of protons and the neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is called its atomic weight. It is also called mass number. It is denoted by A.

Mathematically,

Atomic weight (A) = No. of protons (p+) + No. of neutrons (n0)

Things to remember
  • The substances which are composed of its unit particles of a similar kind is known as pure substances.
  • An element is the simplest form of a pure substance, which cannot be split up into two or simpler substances by any chemical reaction.
  • A symbol is defined as the abbreviation of the full name of an element
  • A matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.
  • Compound is a substance of atoms of two or more elements formed by the chemical combination in a definite proportion by weight
  • The smallest particle of an element or compound, which is capable of independent existence is called molecule.
  • The smallest particle of an element, which takes part in chemical change is called atom.
  • The number of protons or the number of electrons in an electrically neutral atom of an element is called atomic number
  • It includes every relationship which established among the people.
  • There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
  • It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
  • common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.
Videos for Elements, Atoms and Compounds
Chemistry Definitions
Classification of Matter
Understanding Atoms, elements, and molecules Part #1 (9min)
Questions and Answers
The simplest pure form of a substance which cannot be split up into other simpler substances by any physical as well as chemical method is called element e.g. iron, copper.
When we hammer a nail into a plank, some mechanical energy is converted into heat while overcoming the friction between the nail and the plank. So, nail becomes warm when it is hammered.
Anything that occupes space, possesses mass and can be felt by one or more of our five senses is defined as matter.
Symbol is the abbreviation of the full name of an element. It is the way of writing the name of elements by using one or two English alphabets.

The three main ways of writing symbols are as follows:

  1. Using the first letter of the name of elements.
  2. If the name of two or more elements begin with the same letter, another significant letter is taken with the first letter.
  3. Using letters from the name of elements of their original root also make symbols. So, symbols are derived from Latin and some are from German.
Quiz

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