First Year Science

Elements, Compounds &

Mixtures
 In this topic:
• What matter is made of

• Elements
• Atoms & molecules

• Compounds

• Mixtures
How many different substances are there?

How many
different substances
can you think of?

There are millions of different substances!

What are they all made of?
Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
• Matter: anything that occupies space and has
mass
• All made up of lots of little particles
– atoms or molecules
 Elements

E
one type of atom

• Simplest substances in the universe

• Elements song
 Atoms and Molecules
Atom: the smallest E part of an element
 Molecule: particle Ecomposed of 2 or
more atoms, chemically combined
H 2O

Methane

NH4

caffeine

C8H10N4O2
 Compound

E
chemically combined

• Compounds are made up of molecules of

different elements

Vinegar
Salt (NaCl) Water (H2O) (CH3COOH) Pyrite (FeS2)
 Properties of Compounds
• Often very different to the elements that
made them
Compounds Elements
Sodiumchloride •Sodium:veryreactivemetal
(salt) •Chlorine:poisonousgreengas
Carbondioxide •Carbon:blacksolid
•Oxygen:neededforsubstancesto
burn
Water •Hydrogen:explosivegas
•Oxygen:neededforsubstancesto
burn
 Mixtures

Mixture: 2 or more E substances mingled

together but not chemically combined

Seawater Air Cup of tea