U2.

The structure of matter and its systems

1. The composition of matter IES MAESTRO HAEDO

2. Matter systems: classification Dpto. Física y Química
Prof. Ángel Viñas San Narciso
1. The composition of matter
a) Atoms:
− Dalton’s atomic theory: atoms are the simplest
particles that make up matter
− Rutherford’s atomic theory: atoms are composed of
three subatomical particles;
• Protons and neutrons are found
in the atomic nucleus. Both of them
have a similar mass, but only
protons have a positive charge (+).
• Electrons are found in shells that surround the
nucleus of an atom. They are the smallest and
lightest subatomic particles. Electrons have a
negative charge (-) and a very low mass (2000
times lower than protons).
— How can I identify an atom? We use two atomic
parameters:
• Atomic number (Z): is the number of protons in an
atomic nucleus. Besides, as an atom is electrically
neutral, the atomic number match the number of
electrons (nº protons = nº electrons). Two atoms are
the same if they have the same number of protons in
their nuclei.
• Mass number (A): is the total number of protons and
neutrons in an atomic nucleus.
• There are many types of atoms, depending on the
number of protons (atomic number) they have:
hydrogen (1), helium (2), iron (26), oxygen (16)…
b) Ions:
— If an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion.
— Cations are ions with a positive charge.
— Anions are ions with a negative charge.
c) Isotopes: are atoms of the same element (with the
same atomic number), but with different mass number.
d) Molecules:
− They are made up by the union of atoms that attract
each other with strong forces in a permanent way.
− Atoms in a molecule are in fixed proportions.
E.g. water = H20 = 2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen
Atoms form matter
The structure of an atom
Types of atoms
 Union of
atoms to form
molecules
From atoms to molecules
2. The classification of matter (by its composition)
a) Substances:
− They are the different types of matter. E.g. water, iron,
salt, air…
− We can divide all substances into two groups: pure
substances and mixtures.
b) Pure substance:
− It is a type of matter with specific properties that are
unique to the substance (e.g. melting and boiling points,
density…).
− They are made by identical particles (atoms or
molecules)
− Classification: pure substances are classified into two
types: elements and compounds.
c) Chemical elements:
−They are pure substances formed by atoms of the same
atomic number (the same type of atom) and they cannot
be separated into simpler substances.
−The name of the elements: atomic symbols.
• They are used for the identification of the chemical elements
• Written in greek or latin, have one or two letters, the first
one is written in capitals.
Chemical element Symbol Chemical element Symbol Chemical element Symbol

Hydrogen (hidrógeno) H Oxygen (oxígeno) O Calcium (calcio) Ca

Nitrogen (nitrógeno) N Sulfur (azufre) S Chlorine (cloro) Cl
Sodium (sodio) Na Gold (oro) Au Carbon (carbono) C
Potassium (potasio) K Silver (plata) Ag Iron (hierro) Fe
 Atomic symbol

Helium
− Periodic table of the elements:
• It is a way of listing the elements according to their
properties.
• From left to right and top to bottom, the elements
are listed in the order of their atomic number, Z
(number of protons in each atom). A hydrogen atom
has 1 proton, its atomic number is Z = 1, so it is the
first in the periodic table.
• The atomic mass, in the periodic table, is the average
number of protons and neutrons for all natural
isotopes of an element. It is a decimal number. The
unit for atomic mass is the Atomic Mass Unit AMU
(u).
• The elements in the periodic table are ordered in
periods (horizontal rows) and groups (columns).
• Elements of similar properties are located in the same
group.
• We distinguish 3 types of elements, from left to right:
– Metals: tend to lose their electrons
– Non-metals: tend to gain electrons
– Noble gases: will not lose nor gain electrons.
− Atoms of the elements combine to give two types of pure
substances: elements and compounds.
• Chemical bonds:
– A chemical bond is the force of attraction that keeps
two or more atoms together in a stable way.
– In a chemical bond, electrons are lost/gained or
shared between the atoms.
– As a result, molecules and crystals are formed.
• elements: are formed by particles of the same chemical
element. They are:
– Non molecular substances: the particles are isolated
atoms. Sometimes, the atoms join together to form a big,
unlimited and regular atomic structure called a crystal.
» Metals: form metallic crystals. Sodium (Na), iron (Fe)…
» Non–metals: form atomic crystals. Carbon (C),
sulphur (S)…
» Noble gases: isolated atoms. Helium (He), neon (Ne)…
Metallic crystals
Atomic crystals: carbon
Atomic elements: noble gases
– Molecular substances: the particles are isolated
molecules. E.g. Oxygen (O2), Nitrogen (N2)…
– Monoatomic ions: ions that consist of one single atom.
» Cations:
• Na+ is “sodium (1+)” which has one positive
charge.
» Anions:
• O2- is “oxygen (2-)” which has two negative
charges.
Dissolution forms monoatomic ions
Carbon in Elements Carbon in
Diamond
Graphite
• Compounds: are formed by particles of different type of
elements (atoms with different atomic number) always
combined in fixed proportions and they can be broken
down into simpler substances by chemical changes. They
are:
– Binary compounds: are formed by the combination of
two different atoms. Sometimes, the elements join
together to form crystals.
» Molecular: water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2)
» Ionic crystals: are crystals made of different ions.
E.g. common salt (sodium chloride: ClNa), Pyrite
(FeS2)
Ionic crystals: pyrite and salt
– Ternary compounds: formed by the combination of
three different atoms. E.g. sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
6 3
Elements: 1, 3, 6
Compounds: 2, 4, 5
Atomic: 6
Molecular: 1, 2
1 Crystal: 3, 4, 5
5 Mn O4

2
d) Formula writing and nomenclature:
— This is the set of rules we must follow to establish the
chemical formula and name of a pure substance .
— Formulas contain:
• Atomic symbols of the elements of the substance.
• The symbol of the metal is written first, then the
non –metal symbol is written to the right.
• Subscripts that indicate the number of atoms of
each element. We do not write the subscript when
it is 1
— For example: oxides, a binary compound
• Oxides are combinations of oxygen with another
element (mainly metallic elements of groups 1 and
2)
• Because oxygen is a non-metal and is on group 16, it
only needs to gain 2 electrons to be stable.
• Because metals of groups 1 and 2 only need to lose 1 or
2 electrons to be stable, they will give them to the
oxygen.
• The number of electrons every atom gains/loses are the
subscripts of the other in the formula. Then the
subscripts are simplified if possible, 1 is not written.
• Calcium loses 2 electrons and oxygen gains 2:
Ca2O2=CaO
• Sodium loses 1 electron and oxygen gains 2: Na2O
— To name the oxides, we use multiplying prefixes:
• The 1st multiplying prefix indicate the subscript of the
metal element. Mono- for 1, di- for 2… If the
subscript is 1 we do not write the prefix mono-.
• The 2nd indicate the subscript of oxygen for the word
oxide.
• Na2O: disodium monoxide (monóxido de disodio)
• CaO: calcium monoxide (monóxido de calcio)
— Examples:
Substance Type of substance Formula Meaning
Helium Noble gas element He Helium is formed by isolated atoms of
helium
Iron Metallic crystal Fe Crystal is made up of iron atoms ordered
element in a 3D structure
Diamond Atomic crystal C Crystal is made up of carbon atoms
element ordered in a 3D structure
Oxygen Molecular element O2 Molecule is formed by 2 atoms of oxygen

Iron (2+) Monoatomic ion Fe2+ Ions are iron atoms with 2 positive
Chlorine (1-) element Cl -- charges and chlorine atoms with 1
anion negative charge.
Water Molecular binary H2O Molecule formed by 2 atoms of hydrogen
compound and 1 atom of oxygen.
Sodium Ionic crystal NaCl Crystal formed by 1 anion of chlorine for
chloride compound each sodium cation ordered in a 3D
structure.
Calcium Molecular binary CaO Molecule formed by 1 atom of calcium
monoxide compound and 1 atom of oxygen.