Study & Master

Support Pack | Grade 10

CAPS

Physical Sciences
Matter and materials

This support pack for the Matter and materials strand of

the Physical Sciences Grade 10 CAPS curriculum provides
revision summaries on the topic to help prepare for the
examinations. Learners can work through these individually
at home or these could form the basis of a catch-up class
or online lesson. You have permission to print or
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 Unit 1: Classification of matter

matter

mixtures separation by physical methods pure substances

homogeneous heterogeneous compounds elements

mixtures mixtures
separation by chemical methods

Summary
• A mixture is a combination of two or more substances in which the substances
retain their own properties. A mixture’s composition is not constant and the
components in the mixture can be separated by physical means.
• The composition of a homogeneous mixture is the same throughout because the
substances dissolve in each other.
• The composition of a heterogeneous mixture is not uniform and the substances
do not dissolve in each other.
• Pure substances consist of one type of particle only and can be either elements
or compounds.
• Elements are the most basic substances from which all material things
are constructed and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by
chemical methods.
• Compounds are made up of atoms of different elements that are chemically
combined in fixed ratios. They can be broken down into simpler substances by
chemical methods.
• To determine if a substance is pure or not, measure its melting or boiling point
or check its chromatogram.
• The names of elements are abbreviated to a set of symbols.
• The formula of a compound tells us the type and number of elements in
the compound. You can write the formula of a compound from its name by
following certain rules.
• Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat.
• Non-metals are poor conductors of electricity and heat, and are called insulators.
• Metalloids are weak conductors and are called semi-conductors.
• The ferromagnetic elements iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) have
magnetic properties and align themselves to the magnetic field of Earth.

2 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Revision exercises: Unit 1 – Classification of matter

1. Every day we come into contact with more d) sodium sulfite

mixtures than pure substances. e) mercury(I) oxide
f) magnesium fluoride
a) Distinguish between a pure substance and
g) iron(III) hydroxide
a mixture.
h) copper(II) nitrate
b) What is the difference between:
i) calcium hydrogen carbonate
i) homogeneous and heterogeneous
j) magnesium chlorate.
mixtures?
ii) compounds and elements?
c) Identify if the following are heterogeneous 4. Study the list of substances below and answer
or homogeneous mixtures. the questions that follow:
i) Air Diamond, silver, iron, silicon, carbon,
ii) Muesli aluminium, steel, wood, plastic and lead
iii) Sugar water
a) Identify all the metals in the list.
iv) Salad dressing
b) List four properties of non-metals.
v) A cup of coffee without milk
c) Identify all the non-metals in the list.
vi) Cake mixture
d) What are metalloids?
vii) A stainless steel bowl
e) Identify all the metalloids in the list.
viii) Clouds
f) Explain how the following apparatus is
d) How can a mixture of sand and iron filings
used to test electrical conductivity.
be separated?
e) State if the following diagrams represent
an element, a compound or a mixture.
i) ii) iii)

2. Write down the correct formulae for g) Is plastic a good or poor thermal conductor?
the compounds that are formed when h) Define the term ‘alloy’.
you combine: i) Give one example of an alloy from the list.
a) magnesium and sulfate j) Identify one ferromagnetic material from
b) copper(I) and bromine the list.
c) zinc and chlorine
d) iron(II) and oxygen 5. Grade 10 learners want to investigate
e) silver and carbonate the difference between an element and a
f) barium and sulfite compound by placing 3,2 g of sulfur and
g) ammonium and iodine 5,6 g iron into a test tube. They heat the test
h) sodium and nitrate tube over a Bunsen burner. After a while a
i) potassium and hydroxide black liquid (iron sulfide) forms. When they
j) aluminium and nitride. leave it to cool, it turns into a solid.
a) Is it possible to separate the sulfur and iron
3. Write down the formulae of the following before the mixture is heated? Explain.
compounds: b) Identify the element(s) in this investigation.
a) hydrogen bromide c) Identify the compound(s) in this investigation.
b) calcium iodide d) Explain the difference between an element
c) aluminium carbonate and a compound.

MATTER AND MATERIALS 3

 Unit 1: Answers

1. a) A pure substance consists of one type of 4. a) Silver, iron, aluminium, steel, lead
substance only and can either be elements b) • Non-metals are solids or gases at room
or compounds. temperature (except for bromine, which
is a liquid).
A mixture is a combination of two or more
• Non-metals often have low densities.
substances in which the substances retain
• Non-metals are poor conductors of
their own properties.
electricity (except for graphite).
b) i) A homogeneous mixture is a mixture
• Non-metals are poor thermal
in which the composition is the same
conductors (except for diamond
throughout.
and graphite).
A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture
• Most non-metals are brittle with a dull
in which the composition is not
surface when solid.
uniform (not the same throughout).
• Non-metals vary in colour.
ii) Compounds are pure substances
that are made of two or more kinds
c) Diamond, carbon, wood, plastic
of elements combined in fixed
d) Metalloids (or semi-metals) are the
proportions.
elements between the metals and non-
Elements are the most basic substances
metals in the Periodic Table. They have
from which all materials are made.
mainly non-metallic properties, but they
c) i) Homogeneous
also have some characteristics of metals.
ii) Heterogeneous
e) Silicon
iii) Homogeneous
f) Connect the material to be tested for
iv) Heterogeneous
electrical conductivity in an electric
v) Homogeneous
circuit. If the light bulb lights up, the
vi) Homogeneous
material is an electrical conductor;
vii) Homogeneous
if it remains off, then the material is
viii) Heterogeneous
an insulator.
d) The iron filings can be separated from
g) Poor thermal conductor
the sand using a magnet because the iron
h) An alloy is a mixture of metals.
filings will be attracted to the magnet.
i) Steel
e) i) Mixture
j) Iron
ii) Element
iii) Compound
5. a) Yes, it's possible to separate the sulfur
f) and iron using a magnet. The iron is
2. a) MgSO4 BaSO3
b) CuBr g) NH4I attracted to the magnet due to it magnetic
c) ZnCl2 h) NaNO3 properties.
d) FeO i) KOH b) Sulfur (S) and iron (Fe)
e) Ag2CO3 j) AlN c) Iron sulfide (FeS)
d) An element is a substance that cannot
be broken down into other substances
3. a) HBr f) MgF2
through chemical means. A compound
b) CaI2 g) Fe(OH)3
is a chemical substance that forms when
c) Al2(CO3)3 h) Cu(NO3)2
two or more atoms of different elements
d) Na2SO3 i) Ca(HCO3)2
combine in a fixed ratio.
e) Hg2O j) Mg(ClO3)2

4 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Unit 2: States of matter and the Kinetic
Molecular Theory

Summary
• The particulate nature of matter is verified by the phenomena of Brownian
motion and diffusion.
• The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.
– Solids: Particles are closely packed in a lattice; they vibrate about their fixed
positions; there are strong attractive forces between them
– Liquids: Particles are packed together in groups; they move about freely in
a confined space and take on the shape of the container; attractive forces
between liquid particles are weaker than in solids
– Gases: Particles are spread far apart with large empty spaces between them;
their kinetic energy enables them to move randomly; no attractive forces
between gas particles
• Temperature is a measure of its particles’ average kinetic energy.
– Melting point: The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid
– Boiling point: The temperature at which a liquid changes into a gas. Each
pure substance has a constant melting and boiling point
– Freezing point: The temperature at which a liquid changes into a solid. For
most solids the melting point and freezing points are the same
• Melting: The process whereby a solid changes into a liquid.
• Sublimation: The process whereby a solid changes directly to a gas.
• Evaporation or vaporisation: The process whereby a liquid changes into a gas.
• Condensation or liquefaction: The process whereby a gas changes into a liquid.
• Freezing or solidification: The process whereby a liquid changes into a solid.
• Deposition: The process whereby a gas changes directly to a solid.

MATTER AND MATERIALS 5

 Revision exercises: Unit 2 – States of matter and the
Kinetic Molecular Theory

1. All substances exist in one of the three states d) Explain why the temperature did not
of matter. change between points A and B.
e) Use the Kinetic Molecular Theory to
a) Name the three states of matter.
explain what is happening between points
b) List characteristic properties of each of the
B and C.
three states of matter.
f) What is/are the physical state(s) of
c) Water exists in all three states of matter.
phosphorus between points C and D?
Use circles to represent water molecules
and draw three diagrams of water in a
given volume in the three states of matter.
d) Name two factors that determine the state
of a substance.
e) Use the melting and boiling points to
determine the state of the substances in the
table below at room temperature (25 oC).

Substance Melting Boiling

point point
i) Mercury −39 °C 357 °C
ii) Sodium chloride 801 °C 1 413 °C
iii) Methane −79 °C −57 °C
iv) Bromine −7 °C 58 °C

2. The graph below shows the heating curve

for the pure substance phosphorus. The
temperature rises with time as the phosphorus
is heated.

C D
277
Temperature (°C)

A B
44

Time

a) Define the terms ‘melting point’ and

‘boiling point’.
b) What is the melting point of phosphorus?
c) What is the boiling point of phosphorus?

6 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Unit 2: Answers

1. a) Gas, liquid and solid c) 277 °C

b) Gas: d) There is a phase change from a solid to
• The particles are far apart. a liquid between points A and B. All the
• There are virtually no forces between energy is used to break the intermolecular
particles. forces between the particles to allow them
• There are large spaces between gas to change from a solid to a liquid.
particles (low density). e) As the temperature rises between points
• Particles move around at high speed. B and C, the particles absorb energy and
• It is easily compressible. vibrate more vigorously. The average
kinetic energy of the substance increases.
Liquid: The particles now occupy more space and
• The particles can move over one another. the volume increases. The particles gain
• The forces between particles are stronger enough energy to escape from the surface
than in gases. to evaporate. When the boiling point of the
• The spaces between particles are smaller liquid is reached at C, the particles have
than in gases (higher density). enough energy to overcome the attractive
• The particles move around less vigorously. forces between them. The particles escape
• It is not easily compressible. rapidly into the gas phase.
f) Liquid and gas
Solid:
• The particles are bonded in fixed positions.
• There are strong forces between the
particles.
• There are small spaces between the
particles (particle density is high).
• The particles vibrate about their rest
position.
• It is not compressible.

c) gas liquid solid

d) The kinetic energy of the particles and the

intermolecular forces between the particles
e) i) Liquid
ii) Solid
iii) Gas
iv) Liquid

2. a) Melting point is the temperature at which

the transition from solid to liquid occurs.
Boiling point is the temperature at which
the transition from liquid to gas occurs.
b) 44 °C

MATTER AND MATERIALS 7

 Unit 3: The atom

Summary
• Atoms consist of three main particles: protons (p+), neutrons (n0) and
electrons (e−).
• Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus and form the mass of the atom.
• Electrons move around the nucleus and determine the volume of the atom.
• Atoms are neutral: the total number of protons equals the total number
of electrons.
• Atomic number Z:
– Corresponds to the element’s position in the Periodic Table.
– All the atoms of a particular element have the same atomic number.
– The number of protons in the nucleus of the element.
– The number of electrons in a neutral atom.
• Mass number A:
– The total number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus.
• An atom can gain electrons to have a negative charge (anion).
• An atom can lose electrons to have a positive charge (cation).
• Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
• Relative atomic mass Ar is the mass of an atom of an element relative to the
mass of a carbon-12 atom, which has a mass of 12 atomic mass units.
• An atom’s electron configuration shows the way electrons are arranged around
the nucleus.
• Electrons move in orbits that are called energy levels.
• The region where an electron probably would be found is called an atomic
orbital. Each atomic orbital has its own three-dimensional shape. There are four
types of orbitals: s, p, d and f.
• Pauli’s Exclusion Principle states that an orbital can be occupied by a maximum
of two electrons that are paired. The electrons in a pair spin in opposite
directions.
• Hund’s Rule states that each p-orbital must first have a single electron before
electrons can be paired.

8 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Revision exercises: Unit 3 – The atom

1. Atoms are the building blocks of all matter.

Answer the following questions regarding
the atom.
a) The ‘plum pudding’ model was discovered
by which scientist?
b) What is the total number of protons and
neutrons called?
c) Name the part of the atom that contains
virtually all the mass.
d) What are the particles called that orbit
around the nucleus?
e) What is the charge on a nucleus?
f) What is meant by atomic number?
g) What charge does an electron have?
h) Consider the carbon atom 126C.
i) List the number of protons, neutrons
and electrons in a neutral carbon atom.
ii) Draw a diagram to show the number
of protons, neutrons and electrons in a
carbon atom.

2. Chlorine has two isotopes. Chlorine-35 and

chlorine-37 are 75,5% and 24,5% abundant in
nature respectively.
a) Define the term ‘isotope’.
b) Define the term ‘mass number’.
c) What is the mass number of chlorine-35?
d) Determine the relative atomic mass
of chlorine.
e) Which of the two isotopes is most
abundant in nature?

3. Neon has an atomic number of 10 and has

three isotopes: 20Ne, 21Ne and 22Ne.
a) Tabulate the number of protons, neutrons
and electrons in each of the isotopes of neon.
b) The relative atomic mass of neon is 20,18.
Which one of the isotopes is the most
common isotope of neon?
c) Explain why the relative atomic mass is
not a whole number.
d) Draw the orbital box diagram (Aufbau
diagram) for the neon atom.
e) Write the sp-notation electron
configuration of neon.

MATTER AND MATERIALS 9

 Unit 3: Answers

1. a) J.J. Thomson b) Mass number

c) Nucleus d) Electrons
e) Positive
f) The number of protons in the nucleus
g) Negative
h) i) Protons: 6; neutrons: 6 and electrons: 6
ii) Protons , neutrons and electrons

2. a) Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic

number but different mass numbers.
b) The mass number is the sum of the protons
and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
c) 35
d) Relative atomic mass of copper
35 3 75,5 37 3 24,5
5( )1( )
100 100
5 35,5
e) Chlorine-35

3. a)
Protons Neutrons Electrons
20
Ne 10 10 10
21
Ne 10 11 10
22
Ne 10 12 10

b) Neon-20
c) The relative atomic mass is seldom a
whole number because it represents
the average mass of the sample of the
naturally occurring mixture of isotopes of
a particular element in nature.
d) The orbital box diagram (Aufbau diagram)
for the neon atom:

2p

2s
1s

e) 1s2 2s2 2p6

10 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Unit 4: The Periodic Table

Summary
• Periodic Law: Both the physical and chemical properties of elements vary
periodically with increasing atomic number.
• Periods: The horizontal rows in the Periodic Table.
• Groups: The vertical columns of elements with similar properties.
• The melting and boiling points increase as we go down the group.
• Atomic radius: It is half the distance between two nuclei in adjacent metal
atoms, or half the distance between the nuclei of two atoms in a diatomic
molecule; increases down the group and decreases across the period from left
to right.
• Ionisation energy: The amount of energy required to remove an electron from
a neutral atom; decreases down the group and increases across the period from
left to right.
• Electron affinity: The ability of an atom to accept one or more electrons;
increases down the group and increases across the period from left to right.
• Electronegativity: The ability of an atom in a compound to attract the bonding
electron pair(s); decreases down the group and increases from left to right
across a period.
• Group 1 elements (Alkali metals): Low densities; soft and can be cut with a
knife; silvery, shiny surfaces; good conductors of heat and electricity; burn in
air to form solid oxides that dissolve in water to form alkaline solutions; react
vigorously with water to form hydrogen gas and an alkaline solution; form
cations with a +1 charge.
• Group 2 elements (alkali earth metals): Silvery metals; good conductors of heat
and electricity; burn in air to form solid oxides that dissolve partially in water to
form alkaline solutions; magnesium and calcium react with water; form cations
with a +2 charge.
• Group 17 elements (Halogens): Coloured non-metals with low melting points
that increase down the group; form diatomic molecules; form anions with a
−1 charge.
• Group 18 elements (Noble gases): Extremely unreactive; boiling points increase
down the group.
• Groups 3–12 are called the transition elements.

MATTER AND MATERIALS 11

 Revision exercises: Unit 4 – The Periodic Table

1. Give one term for the following descriptions. d) Which element has the highest reactivity
in Group 1?
a) The horizontal rows of the Periodic Table
e) Which element has the smallest mass?
b) The electrons in the outer energy level
f) Which element loses three electrons?
c) The ability of an atom in a compound to
g) Which element forms anions with a
attract the bonding electron pair(s)
−1 charge?
d) The vertical columns in the Periodic Table
h) What is the group name of elements D
e) Group 17 on the Periodic Table
and L?
i) Which elements have a full outer
2. The following elements are found in Period 2
energy level?
of the Periodic Table.
j) What is the number of protons in an atom
of element H?
Group 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18
k) What is the number of neutrons in an atom
number
of element G with mass number 14?
Element Li Be B C N O F Ne
l) Which element, B or J, will have the
highest boiling point?
Which element in the table: m) Arrange the elements C, K and M from
lowest to highest melting points.
a) has the highest electronegativity in
n) Which element has the highest
the period?
electronegativity?
b) has two valence electrons?
o) Which element has the highest first
c) forms an oxide with the general formula
ionisation energy?
M2O3?
p) Which element has the greatest atomic
d) has the highest boiling point in the period?
radius in Period 2?
e) is a non-metal with a valency of 2?
f) has the lowest density in the period?
g) has the lowest first ionisation energy in
the period?
h) gains three electrons to achieve a stable
electron configuration?
i) can form four bonds with other elements?

3. Use the letters in the table to answer the

questions.

(1) (2) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)

A B
C D E F G H I J
K L
M

a) Which element has four valence electrons?

b) Give the name of Group 18 elements.
c) Which elements only have two valence
electrons in an s-orbital?

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 Unit 4: Answers

1. a) Periods
e) Valence electrons
c) Electronegativity
d) Groups
e) Halogens

2. a) F d) C g) Li
b) Be e) O h) N
c) B f) Ne i) C

3. a) F i) B and J
b) Noble gases j) Eight
c) D and L k) Seven
d) M l) J
e) A m) M, K, C
f) E n) I
g) I o) B
h) Alkali earth p) C
metals

MATTER AND MATERIALS 13

 Unit 5: Chemical bonding

Summary
• Lewis dot symbols use a system of dots to show valence electrons.
• In a covalent bond
– atoms of non-metal elements bond
– orbitals overlap when atoms are close enough to bond
– two electrons, one from each atom, pair to form a single bond
– two electron pairs form a double bond and three electron pairs form a
triple bond
– one or more bonds result in the formation of a molecule.
• In an ionic bond
– atoms of metals react with non-metals
– one or more electrons are transferred from the metal to the non-metal
– the metal forms a positive ion (cation) and the non-metal forms a negative
ion (anion)
– the ions pack into a crystal lattice and are held together by
electrostatic forces.
• In metallic bonding
– metallic atoms pack in a metallic crystal lattice
– their outer orbitals overlap
– each metal atom loses control over its valence electrons that become
delocalised
– a sea of free electrons hold the positive atomic kernels together.

14 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Revision exercises: Unit 5 – Chemical bonding

1. Give one term for the following descriptions. i) sodium and fluorine
ii) lithium and chlorine.
a) The particles found in metals that explain
c) What type of bond forms when a metal
why metals are good conductors of
and a non-metal bond?
electricity
d) Explain how the bond in the previous
b) The type of bonding where positive atomic
question is formed.
kernels are held together by free-moving
e) Magnesium is an alkali earth metal.
electrons
Use the electron-sea model and draw a
c) Atoms share two pairs of electrons
diagram of bonding in magnesium. Show
d) All samples of a given compound have the
the number of protons, neutrons and
same elemental composition
electrons of the kernel and the number of
delocalised electrons.
2. Consider the following electron diagrams:
H O
N N H O H O O H C C O H
H
nitrogen water oxygen ethanoic acid

a) The atoms in these molecules share

electrons. What is this type of bond called?
b) How many bonds are there between the
two nitrogen atoms in nitrogen?
c) How many electrons surround each
oxygen atom?
d) Name the different elements found in
ethanoic acid.
e) In which molecules would you find a
double bond?
f) How many covalent bonds does each
carbon atom make?
g) Give the formulae of all the molecules.
h) Draw the Lewis dot diagrams for NH3
and HCl.

3. Metals and non-metals bond to form a

crystal lattice.
a) Use Lewis dot diagrams to show what
happens when the following metals and
non-metals bond:
i) calcium and chlorine
ii) sodium and oxygen
iii) magnesium and iodine.
b) Use electron configurations to show
the transfer of electrons when the
following react:

MATTER AND MATERIALS 15

 Unit 5: Answers

1. a) (Delocalised) electrons ii) Lithium and chlorine

electron transfer
b) Metallic
c) Double covalent bond
d) Law of Constant Composition 3p

3s
2. a) Covalent
b) Three 2p
c) Eight
2s 2s
d) Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen
e) Oxygen and ethanoic acid 1s
1s
f) Four
g) N2, H2O, O2 and CH3COOH
h) c) Ionic bond
H N H H Cl
d) One or more electrons are transferred from
H the metal to the non-metal. The metal
3. a) i) Calcium and chlorine forms a positive ion and the non-metal
forms a negative ion. The ions pack into
a crystal lattice and are held together by
Cl 1 Ca 1 Cl → Ca2+[2 Cl ]−
electrostatic forces.
e)
ii) Sodium and oxygen
Positive atomic kernel
Mg2+ Mg2+ Mg2+ for Mg: 10e-; 12p+;
Na 1 O 1 Na → 2Na [ O ]
+ 2−
12 neutrons

Sea of delocalised
Mg2+ Mg2+ Mg2+ electrons that glue the
positive atomic kernels
iii) Magnesium and iodine together: two e- for
Mg2+ Mg2+ Mg2+ each Mg atomic kernel
I 1 Mg 1 I → Mg2+[2 I ]−

b) i) Sodium and fluorine

electron transfer

3s

2p 2p

2s 2s

1s 1s

16 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Unit 6: Particles making up substances

Summary
• Noble gases exist in nature as single atoms.
• A compound is a group of two or more different atoms in fixed ratios that are
held together by chemical bonds.
• Molecules form when atoms share electrons and there are covalent bonds
between them.
• Molecules of elements: diatomic molecules H2, O2, N2, F2, Cl2, Br2 and I2
• Others: O3, P4, S8, C60 (Buckminsterfullerene or buckyballs).
• Molecules of compounds: diatomic molecules HCl; CO.
• Others: H2O, CO2, NH3, C12H22O11 (sugar) and C8H18 (octane).
• Covalent network structures: Carbon in diamond and graphite; SiO2 in sand
and quartz.
• Covalent molecular structures have low melting and boiling points.
• Covalent network structures have very high melting and boiling points.
• Covalently bonded structures are electrical and thermal insulators, except
graphite and diamond.
• Ionic compounds are called salts that are hard and brittle.
• Ionic compounds are solids with high melting points and boiling points.
• Solid ionic compounds cannot conduct an electric current.
• Molten and dissolved ionic compounds form electrolytes that can conduct an
electric current.
• Metals consist of metal atomic kernels packed into a lattice structure surrounded
by a sea of delocalised electrons.
• We represent atoms and compounds by models, diagrams and formulae.
• A molecular formula represents covalent molecular structures.
• An empirical formula represents covalent network structures and metals.

MATTER AND MATERIALS 17

 Revision exercises: Unit 6 – Particles making
up substances

1. Give one term for the following descriptions. c) Glucose

a) The substance that dissolves in a solvent
b) The name given to ionic compounds
c) The type of formula used to represent
covalent network structures
d) Consists of giant repeating structures
of atoms that are covalently bonded to
each other
e) Substances that are formed when non-
metals react
d) Methyl ethanoate
f) The structure that forms when oppositely
charged ions attract each other
g) The arrangement of metal atoms to occupy
the minimum amount of space

2. Give the molecular formulae and empirical

formulae for the following compounds.
Key: white – hydrogen, black – carbon,
grey – oxygen
a) Propane e) Benzene

b) Acetic acid

18 S T U DY & M A S T E R P H Y S I C A L S C I E N C E S S U P P O R T PA C K G R A D E 1 0
 Unit 6: Answers

1. a) Solute
b) Salts
c) Empirical formula
d) Giant network structures
e) Molecular substances
f) Crystal lattice
g) Closest packing

2.
Compound Molecular Empirical
formula formula
a) Propane C3H8 C3H8
b) Acetic acid C2H4O2 CH2O
c) Glucose C6H12O6 CH2O
d) Methyl C3H6O2 C3H6O2
ethanoate
e) Benzene C6H6 CH

MATTER AND MATERIALS 19