Science Form 4

Chapter 4
4.5 The Properties of
Substances
 Atoms, molecules and ions
• Atoms are the smallest particles of an element
that take part in chemical reaction.
• A molecule consists of two or more atoms
which are chemically joined together.
• An ion is a charged particle. There are positive
ions and negative ions. An ion is formed when
an atom loses or gains electron.
Substances made up of atoms
magnesium
iron
Substances made up of molecules
chlorine
oxygen
Carbon dioxide
water
ammonia
Sulphur dioxide
Substances made up of ions
Sodium chloride (salt)
Electrostatic force
zinc oxide
Van der Waals force
Physical properties of substances