Significance of the symbol of an element

The symbol of an element represents one atom

of the element
For example, the symbol ‘C ‘stands for the element carbon and oneatom of the element
carbon.
Molecules of elements

The molecules of an element are formed by the combination of two or more atoms of the
same element. for example, a molecule of hydrogenis made up of two atoms of hydrogen, a
molecule of oxygen is made up
of two atoms of oxygen. a molecule of ozone is made up of three atoms of oxygen.
Atomicity: -The number of atoms present in a molecule of an elementis called its atomicity.

• However, noble gases such as helium, neon and argon can exist as single atoms
independently. They are known as monoatomic elements. (Mono means single).
• Elements such as hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen exist as diatomicmolecules. Their
molecules are composed of two atoms.
• An ozone molecule consists of three atoms; hence it is triatomic.
• Generally, any molecule of element containing more than twoatoms is polyatomic.
Molecules of a compound

When the atoms of two or more elements combine,they form amolecule of a

compound.

• a water molecule is formed by the combination of two atoms ofhydrogen with one
atom of oxygen
• A molecule of carbon dioxide is formed by the combination of oneatom of carbon with
two atoms of oxygen.
Molecular formula

The molecular formula represents the composition of a molecule ofan element or

compound. The molecular formula of a substance is also known as its chemical formula.
Significance of the molecular Formula of compoundsIt indicates

• The elements constituting the compound

• The number of atoms of various elements present in onemolecule of that
compound.
• The formula represents one molecule of that compound
compound constituents formula
water Hydrogen, oxygen H2O
Carbon dioxide Carbon, oxygen CO2
Sodium chloride Sodium, chlorine NaCl
ammonia Nitrogen, hydrogen NH3
Hydrogen chloride Hydrogen, chlorine HCl

In some compounds, two or more atoms of different elements act together as a single group
Some common groups and their formula

Common group Formula

Carbonate
CO3
Sulphate
SO4
Nitrate
NO3
Hydroxide
OH

Some compounds with groups and their formula

Compound Formula
Sodium carbonate
Na2CO3
Copper sulphate
CuSO4
Sodium hydroxide
NaOH
Copper nitrate
Cu (NO3)2

Valency

The combining capacity of an atom of an element is known as its valency.

We take valency of hydrogen as 1. The valencies of other elements/groups is the number of

hydrogen atoms which can combine with or be displaced by one atom of that element or
group.
 Certain elements show more than one valency. They are said to exhibitvariable valency.
Noble or inert gases shows zero valency

Element/group Symbol Valency

Hydrogen H 1
Sodium Na 1
Copper Cu 1or 2
Mercury Hg 1or2
chlorine Cl 1
Nitrate NO3 1
Calcium Ca 2
Sulphate SO4 2
Carbonate CO3 2
Aluminum Al 3
Nitrogen N 3or5
Phosphate PO4 3
Carbon C 4

Steps involved in writing formula of simple compounds

• Write the symbols of the elements/groups it is made up of

• Write the valency below its symbol
• Divide by common factor if it is present.
• Criss cross the valency of constituent elements/groups and placeas the subscripts to
get the desired formula.
• For example, water:

Symbol hydrogen oxygen

Valency 1 2
Writing the formula for aluminum sulphate

aluminum sulphate

Symbol Al SO4

valency 3 2

Criss cross the valencies and place as subscript

The formula will be

Al2(SO4)3

Note that if a group contains two or more atoms, then the group is put in bracket and the
number is written as a subscript on the rightof the bracket.

Mixtures

When two or more elements or compounds are mixed together, and there is no

chemical change between them, we get a mixture of elements and compounds. In a

mixture no new molecules are formed.

Differences between compounds and mixtures

Property Compounds Mixtures

Combination of constituents Constituents are
combined together
chemically
Ratio of constituents Constituents are present in
fixed ratio
Separation of constituents Can be separated only by
chemical method.
Constituents are
combined together
physically
Constituents can be
present in any ratio
Can be separated by
physical method
 Properties Have properties different Properties are those of
from those of their their constituents
constituents
Energy changes Often energy absorbed or No energy changes
released during formation of
compounds
example Sodium chloride, Iron sulphide Air, sand in water

Differences between elements and compounds

Parameter Element compound

constituents An element is made up of A compound is madeup of
only one kind of two or more
substance elements

Separation An element cannot bebroken A compound can be broken

down into simpler down into its constituent
substances by elements
chemical means by chemical means

Property An element has its own set The property of compound

of properties differentfrom its
constituent
elements.

example H2, He, Au (gold) NaCl, H2O

Differences between an atom and a molecule

Atom Molecule
An atom is the smallest particle ofan element A molecule is the smallest particleof an
that generally does not exist independently element or compound that exists
(exception-Noble gases) independently

Cannot be subdivided Can be subdivided into atoms

 No chemical bond in an atom Atoms in a molecule held
together by chemical bond
Example – H, O, N (atom) H2, O2, N2 (molecule)

Chemical Equations

A chemical equation shows the result of a chemical reaction in which the reactants and products are
represented by symbols and formulae. An important requirement for writing an equation is that the
number of atoms of each element on the left-hand side should be same as the number of atoms on the
right-hand side.

N2 + H2 -> NH3 (unbalanced)

N2+ 3H2 -> 2 NH3 (balanced)