8F Summary Sheet
8F Summary Sheet
8F
Elements
An element is a simple substance that cannot be split into anything simpler by chemical reactions.
Atoms are the smallest particles of an element. Atoms of one element are all the same, and are different from
atoms of all the other elements.
All the elements are shown in the periodic table. There are 117 known elements. Each element
has a chemical symbol, which is usually one or two letters. A symbol is written with the first letter
as a capital, and the second letter lower case, for example
oxygen O
carbon C
iron Fe
aluminium Al
Compounds
Elements can join together to make compounds. The name of the compound tells you the elements that
are in it. Compounds made from two elements always have a name that ends
in -ide.
These elements join together
carbon, oxygen
carbon dioxide
sodium, chlorine
sodium chloride
magnesium, oxygen
magnesium oxide
A chemical formula tells you the name and number of atoms in a compound. The smallest
particle of many compounds is called a molecule. Molecules are made up of groups of atoms. Some
elements are also made of molecules. For example, a molecule of oxygen contains two
oxygen atoms joined together. The formula is O2. Water contains two atoms of hydrogen and one
of oxygen. The formula is H2O.
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Exploring Science
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8F
Non-Metals
shiny
dull
Mainly found on the left-hand side and in the centre of the found on the right-hand side of the periodic table
periodic table
three metals are magnetic
flexible
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Exploring Science
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