Subject: science
Category: Chemistry
Key stage: ks3
Year: year-8
Description: This unit explores the basic atomic model, the differences between atoms, elements, and compounds, and the varying physical and chemical properties of elements. It covers chemical symbols, formulae, SI units, and IUPAC nomenclature, emphasising their use in describing elements and compounds.
Why this, why now: This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Solid, liquid, gas states and changes of state, where they explored particle behaviour in different states and how materials change under various conditions. It enhances their understanding by focusing on the structure of atoms, elements, and compounds, and how these fundamental particles combine. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Understanding chemical reactions, where they will apply this knowledge to explore how atoms rearrange during chemical reactions, reinforcing the principles of matter and its transformations.
Prior knowledge requirements: A pure substance is made of only one type of particle. A pure substance has a fixed melting point and boiling point. Impurities change the melting and boiling point of a substance. Mass of substances that are mixed adds to give the total mass of the mixture (mass is conserved). Mass is measured with a balance in grams.
National curriculum content: Understand and use SI units and IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) chemical nomenclature A simple (Dalton) atomic model Differences between atoms, elements and compounds Chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds The varying physical and chemical properties of different elements
Unit lessons: