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Pre-Test : Elements, Compounds, and Atoms

Directions: Circle the letter to indicate whether the following statements are either true (“T”) or false
(“F”).

1. A pure substance is made up of two kinds of materials which have definite properties.T F

2. An atom is the smallest complete piece of matter which cannot be broken down. T F

3. An element is a simple pure substance. T F

4. John Dalton's experiment lead to widespread acceptance of molecules. T F

5. Thomson discovered electrons in the early 1800's. T F

6. The center of the atom is the nucleus. T F

7. The electron cloud swirls around the inside of the atom. T F

8. A molecule is two or more atoms with specific properties that have bonded together. T F

9. Chemical symbols are used to represent electrons. T F

10. A chemical formula is an abbreviated way of symbolizing chemical substances. T F

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Video Quiz
Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct word from the list at the bottom of the page. Not all
words from the list will be used.

1. A pure substance is the _________________ throughout.

2. An _________________ is a simple pure substance that cannot be changed into a simpler substance.

3. An _________________ is the smallest piece of matter that cannot be commonly broken down.

4. _________________ are the negatively charged particles in the atom.

5. The _________________ is the center of an atom.

6. The electron _________________ is the region where electrons would probably be found.

7. A _________________ is a pure substance made of more than one element.

8. A _________________ is two or more atoms that have bonded together.

9. Chemical _________________ are used to represent elements.

10. Chemical _________________ are used to represent chemical substances such as compounds.

formulas
element
different
compound
atom
same
symbols
pictures
nucleus
cloud
spray
electrons
molecules

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Discussion Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions in the spaces provided (use the back of the sheet if
necessary) or as a group.

1. Describe the characteristics of a pure substance.

2. Describe the characteristics of a compound.

3. Describe Dalton's four part theory about the atom.

4. Describe Thomson's Model of the Atom.

5. Describe Rutherford's Model of the Atom.

6. Describe Bohr's Model of the Atom.

7. Provide examples of chemical symbols.

8. Provide examples of chemical formulas.

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Word Search

Directions: Find and circle the following vocabulary words in the puzzle. After completing the
puzzle, write the definition of each word on the back of the page.

atom chemical formula chemical symbol compound

electron electron cloud element Ernest Rutherford
J.J. Thomson John Dalton molecule nucleus
pure substance

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Internet Lesson: EPA Acid Rain Program

Directions: Locate this web site at the following address:

http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/diagram.html
Read through the text and graphics and answer the following questions.

1. What is the cause of acid rain?

2. What are the two chemicals involved in the production of acid rain and what are their chemical
symbols?

3. Where does acid rain form?

4. When creating acid rain, with what do Sox and NO x mix while in the clouds?

5. In what forms does the acid rain fall to earth?

Click “Sources of Sox”

6. How much Sox emissions were produced in 1992?

7. What are the five major sources of Sox?

Click “Sources of Nox”

8. How much Nox emissions were produced in 1992?

9. What were the major sources of Nox?

10. What other environmental problems do Nox emissions cause?

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Experiment!
Gum Drop Molecules

Objective
You will create models of actual molecules using gum drops.

Materials
Gum drops
Toothpicks

Procedure
1. Divide the gum drops up by color and then name them as follows:
Red - hydrogen
Blue - oxygen
Yellow - sulfur
Green - nitrogen
Orange - carbon

2. Using the toothpicks and the appropriate gum drops, make the following molecules by connecting
the gum drop with toothpicks. The gum drops symbolize atoms and the toothpicks symbolize the
bonds between atoms.

a. Water - H2O (the oxygen atom should be in the middle of the hydrogen atoms)

b. Hydrogen - H2

c. Ammonia - NH3 ( the nitrogen atom should be in the middle of the three hydrogen atoms)

d. Carbon dioxide - CO2 (the carbon atom should be in the middle of the two oxygen atoms)

e. Sulfur dioxide - SO2 (the sulfur atom should be in the middle of the two oxygen atoms)

3. For each of the five molecules you just put together, provide an example of how each compound is
used or found in nature. Use the space below and the back of the sheet for your answer.

Conclusion
Describe how the molecular models you assembled are different from real molecules. What are the
similarities and differences between your models and real molecules? Describe how molecular models
might prove to be helpful to scientists. Use the space below and the back of the sheet for your answer.

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Post-Test: Elements, Compounds, and Atoms

FILL-IN-THE-BLANK
Directions: Answer the following questions in the space provided.

1. (4 points) Salt is an example of a __________________ substance.

2. (4 points) An ____________ is the smallest piece of matter than cannot be commonly broken down.

3. List the four parts of Dalton's theory in the space below.

a. _________________________________________________ (4 points)

b. _________________________________________________ (4 points)

c. _________________________________________________ (4 points)

d. _________________________________________________ (4 points)

4. (4 points) Thomson discovered that atoms were not simple spheres but contained ______________.

5. (4 points) Ernest Rutherford's Model of the Atom included a _________________.

6. (4 points) Electrons dart in ever-changing paths within energy levels called an ________________
_______________.

7. (4 points) Chemical symbols use one or two letters from the name of the ______________.

8. Describe the chemical formula H2SO4.

______ atoms of _______ (4 points)

______ atom of _______ (4 points)

______ atoms of _______ (4 points)

TRUE OR FALSE
Directions: Circle the letter to indicate whether the following statements are either true (“T”) or false
(“F”).

9. (4 points) A subscript is a small number written above a letter or number. T F

10. (4 points) It is possible to separate molecules. T F
11. (4 points) Chemical symbols can be placed together to make a chemical formula. T F
12. (4 points) A molecule contains one atom with specific properties which has
bonded together. T F
13. (4 points) An element can be changed into a simpler complete substance. T F

©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning

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Post-Test: Elements, Compounds, and Atoms

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Circle the correct answer.

14. (4 points) There are _______ known elements.

a. 20
b. 1000
c. 100
d. one million

15. (4 points) All matter has mass and ________.

a. volume
b. taste
c. texture
d. light

16. (4 points) Atoms of the same element are ______

a. familiar
b. different
c. charged
d. identical

17. (4 points) The nucleus is very _______ compared to the atom as a whole.
a. small
b. large
c. similar
d. light

18. (4 points) Atoms move between energy levels by absorbing or releasing ______.
a. matter
b. energy
c. fission
d. gas

19. (4 points) Chemical symbols are often derived from

a. nature
b. Latin
c. Japanese
d. laboratory

20. (4 points) Electrons are very _______ compared to neutrons and protons
a. large
b. slow
c. colorful
d. small
©1998 Dr. Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D. Distributed by AGC/United Learning
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