Parts of Matter: Atoms, Molecules, Elements (Part 2)

​(Part 2)

What is an element?

​Most substances on Earth are made up of many different kinds of atoms, but there are some substances on Earth that are only made up of one kind of atom. 

Elements are substances made up of only one type of atom.

Helium is an element that can be used to fill up balloons. The helium in these balloons and in this tank are made up of the same type of atom. Helium is an element because it is only made up of helium atoms and no other kinds of atoms.

Multiple Choice

Imagine that each one of the beads in these necklaces represents an atom. Which necklace is most likely an element?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following are elements?

• oxygen

• water

Multiple Choice

Which of the following molecules is also an element?

• Molecule (A)

• Molecule (B)

• There are many different kinds of molecules.

• By looking at a molecule, we can determine if it is an element or not.

• Remember, elements are substances made up of only one type of atom. 

Multiple Choice

Look at this water molecule. Do you think it is an element?

Why?

(Be prepared to share your thoughts!)

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Look at this carbon dioxide molecule. Do you think it is an element?

Why?

(Be prepared to share your thoughts!)

• Yes

• No

​Explain why oxygen is an element and why water is not an element.

An element is only made up of one kind of atom. Oxygen is made up of only oxygen atoms. Water is made up of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, which are different types.

​Correct Answer

Hotspot

Find the element aluminum (Al) on this section of the periodic table.

Then find Tin (Sn).

​

What is aluminum (Al)?

​

Aluminum (Al) is a metallic solid. You can tell by using the key on the periodic table. Aluminum is colored in green, and the key shows you that the green colored boxes are other metals.

Multiple Choice

An element is only made up of one kind of atom.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Elements are arranged into groups on the periodic table based on their properties.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

An atom is __________.

• the smallest particle of an element that still has all of the same properties

• the smallest particle of an element that has different properties

• a substance made up of only one kind of element

• formed when two or more atoms join together

Multiple Choice

A molecule is __________.

• a substance made up of only one kind of atom

• a type of matter that cannot be broken down further

• formed when two or more atoms join together

• made up of one atom

Multiple Choice

An element is __________.

• made up of two or more different atoms

• a state of matter

• a metallic solid

• only made up of one kind of atom

Multiple Select

What is Matter Made of?

• All matter is made of particles.

• Atoms are the smallest possible particle of a substance that still has all of the same properties.

• When atoms join together, they create molecules.

• An element is only made up of one kind of atom.

• Elements are arranged into groups based on their properties on the periodic table.

Multiple Select

A team of scientists are dividing a sample of iron into smaller and smaller parts using special instruments. They divide the sample of iron into a tiny particle that still has all of the properties of iron.

The smallest particle that still has all of the properties of iron is called __________.

Do not shout out the answer or raise your hands! Answer the question by following the instructions on the square with the correct answer.

• "molecule"

  Put 1 hand on your head

• "atom"

  put 2 hands on your head

• "element"

  put one finger on your nose.

Multiple Choice

Which statement about an atom is true?

Answer the question by answering 1-5 on your hand as shown in the picture. Do not shout out the answer!

• 1

  An atom is larger than a molecule.

• 2

  An atom can be divided into smaller particles that have the same properties of the element.

  
  

• 3

  An atom can be seen with the human eye.

• 4

  An atom is the smallest possible particle that still has the same properties of the element.

Multiple Choice

A molecule is made up of __________.

Answer the question by answering 1-5 on your hand as shown in the picture. Do not shout out the answer!

• 1

  no more than three atoms bonded together

• 2

  more than five atoms

• 3

  only one kind of atom

• 4

  two or more atoms bonded together

Multiple Choice

Sodium chloride is made up of sodium atoms and chloride atoms.

Is sodium chloride an example of an element?

Answer the question by answering 1-5 on your hand as shown in the picture. Do not shout out the answer!

• 1

  No, it is made up of more than one kind of atom.

• 2

  Yes, it is made up of different kinds of atoms.

• 3

  No, it is not found as a solid in most temperatures.

• 4

  Yes, it is made of a substance that can be found on the periodic table.

Multiple Choice

An element is made up of __________.

• (A)

  no more than three atoms bonded together

• (B)

  only one kind of atom

• (C)

  two or more atoms bonded together

• (D)

  more than three atoms

Multiple Choice

What does the periodic table do?

• (A)

  It groups only the liquid elements found on Earth.

• (B)

  It shows how different molecules combine to create new elements.

• (C)

  It groups all the different identified elements together by their properties.

• (D)

  It groups only the solid elements found on Earth.