Atoms in Elements and Compounds – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will learn about the different ways atoms are arranged in pure substance – elements and compounds.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Describe elements and compounds.
  • Describe atoms, molecules and lattices.
  • Illustrate the different ways atoms can be arranged in elements, with examples.
  • Illustrate the different ways atoms can be arranged in compounds, with examples.

 
atoms in elements and compounds lesson contents

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Lesson Topics

1 | The Building Blocks of Matter

2 | Pure Substances

3 | Chemical Subunits

4 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • Atoms are the fundamental subunits of matter.
  • They may exist individually (in some elements) or joined to other atoms by chemical bonds, forming molecules or lattices (in most elements and all compounds).
  • Molecules are discrete structures containing two or more atoms bonded together in a fixed arrangement.
  • Molecules can consist of one type of atom, or more commonly, more than one type of atom.
  • Lattices are continuous networks of atoms joined by chemical bonds.
  • As with molecules, lattices can consist of one type of atom, or more commonly, more than one type of atom.
  • Elements and compounds are both pure substances as they are made up of one type of chemical subunit.
  • Elements are composed of one type of atom.
  • These atoms may exist separately, as molecules or as a lattice.
  • Compounds are composed of more than one type of atom.
  • These atoms may exist as molecules or as a lattice.

 
enzyme protein molecule structure

Some molecules, such as proteins, can contain thousands of atoms.

(Image: Splette, Wikimedia Commons)

(Header image: Anusorn, Adobe Stock)