Atoms, elements and

compounds
 Learning outcomes
• State the subatomic particles in an atom and its
relative charge and relative mass
• Define proton number and nucleon number
• Determine the proton number and nucleon
number of an atom
• Determine the number of protons, neutrons
and electrons from the proton & nucleon
number
• Construct atomic structure
 WHAT IS AN ATOM?

 Atoms are composed of

smaller subatomic particles
such as the proton,
neutron, and electron.

 Atoms contain a nucleus

surrounded by an electron
cloud that consists of one
or more energy levels.
 All substances are made of atoms
All substances are made of very tiny particles called atoms.
Many substances are made up of different types of atoms.

carbon and
hydrogen
hydrogen atoms
and oxygen
atoms

iron, aluminium,
silicon, oxygen and
boron atoms
carbon, nitrogen,
hydrogen, oxygen and
sulphur atoms
 Outer Structure of an Atom
• Multiple energy levels in the electron cloud completely
surround the nucleus.
Electrons follow a specific order to fill the energy
levels.

Maximum of
2 electrons

Maximum of
Nucleus 8 electrons
Maximum of
8 electrons*

*Applies to the first 18

elements only
WHAT IS THE NUCLEUS?
o The central part of an
atom.
o Composed of protons
and neutrons.
o Contains most of an
atom's mass.
 The Atom’s “Center”

• Protons and neutrons are grouped together to

form the “center” or nucleus of an atom.
• Contains most of an atom's mass.

-
-
+
+ +
-
 WHAT IS A PROTON?

o Positively charged particle.

o Found within an atomic

nucleus.

o Symbol P+
o Relative mass 1
o Charge +1
WHAT IS A NEUTRON?

o Uncharged particle.

o Found within an atomic nucleus.

o Symbol n
o Relative mass 1
o Charge neutral
 WHAT IS AN ELECTRON?
o Negatively charged particle.

o Located in shells that

surround an atom's nucleus.
o Symbol e-
o Relative mass 1/1840
o Charge 0
 Decoding Atom Information
from the Periodic Table

Atomic
Number 6

C
Carbon
Atom’s
Symbol

Atom’s
Name
Atomic
Mass 12.0
Proton number and nucleon number
Proton number (atomic number) of an
element – number of proton in its element

Nucleon number (mass number)- Total

number of proton and neutron in an
element
Nucleon number = number of protons + number of neutron
 Sodium (Na) Atom
• Notice the two electrons in the
first orbital/level, eight in the
second, and one in the third

-
How
+ = 11
- - many
= 12
-
more
electrons
- = 11
++ +
+ + + -
can fit in
- -
+ +
the 3rd
orbital/
-
-
level?Exp
-
- lain your
answer
 Building Atoms
Using the whiteboard and the proton, neutron,
and electron pieces, build the following atoms,
and determine their atomic and mass numbers.

Atoms Protons Neutrons Electrons

Carbon 6 6 6
Beryllium 4 5 4
Oxygen 8 8 8
Lithium 3 4 3
Sodium 11 12 11
15 of 10 © Boardworks Ltd 2014
 Elements
• Made up of one type of atom
• Cannot be broken down by
physical and chemical methods
• Examples: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon

Sample of the Sample of the

Element Lead Element Chlorine
 What is a compound?
A compound is the substance produced when two or more
elements combine in a chemical reaction.

Two elements, hydrogen (H) and

oxygen (O), combine to make the
compound, water.

Which two elements combine to

make the compound carbon
dioxide?

A compound is always made up of two or more

different types of atom.
 Molecules of compounds
Some compounds exist as molecules:

Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen Carbon dioxide is made of carbon and oxygen
atoms. What is the formula of water? atoms. What is the formula of carbon dioxide?
References
1.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/ja
ms/science/matter/elements-and-
compounds.htm
Recognising elements and compounds