Building blocks of matter

Topic objectives

• explain that atoms, molecules and ions are the building blocks of all material (an extension of the
particle model) (NOTE: the term “molecule” will be used only for electrically neutral groups of atoms
held together by covalent bonds, including macromolecules)
• distinguish between elements, mixtures and compounds
• explain that atoms combine to form molecules, or (compound) ions
• explain that atoms, ions and molecules can form crystal lattices that are either molecular or giant
• explain that giant lattices can be ionic, metallic or covalent
• describe alloys, such as brass, bronze and steel, as mixtures of a metal with other metals or carbon
• Elements – Consists of one kind of atom
• Pure substance, cannot be broken down further
• Found on the periodic table

• Mixtures – Consists of two or more kinds of substances that are

physically combined.

• Compounds – Two or more elements that are chemically combined.

• Crystal lattices – Atoms, ions and molecules can form crystal lattices.
• Can be molecular or giant
• Giant lattices can be classified as ionic, metallic or covalent.
• Diamond, graphite and silicon dioxide are examples of giant covalent structures

• Alloys – Alloys are mixtures of a metal with other metals or carbon.

• Compared to pure metals, alloys are: Stronger, harder, more resistant to corrosion and less
conductive.
Compounds and mixtures
Mixtures
Components my be separated by physical means
The composition can vary
No chemical change takes place when a mixture is
formed
The properties of the mixture come from the
individual elements that make up the mixture
Compounds
Components may be separated by chemical means
The composition is always the same
Chemical changes take place when a compound is
formed
The properties are different to those of the
component elements
Activity 12
• Seawater
• Air
• Pure water
• Gold
• Brass
• Ethanol
• Diamond
Check progress
• Page 121
Ionic bonding and electrovalent bonds

• describe how the reaction between a metal and a non-metal results in the transfer of electrons from
metal atoms to non-metal atoms so that both achieve full outer shells and form positive ions
(cations) and negative ions (anions) respectively
• explain ionic bonding as the electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions formed
• differentiate between the naming of atoms versus ions (e.g. chlorine and chloride)
• predict the positive and negative charges of ions (in terms of the attained noble gas electron
arrangements)
• describe the lattice of an ionic compound as a regular arrangement of alternating positive and
negative ions
Ionic bonding
• Occurs between metals and non-metals.
• Metals lose electrons to become stable.
• Non-metals gain electrons to become stable.
• When a metal loses it’s electrons, it becomes positively charged, we
call this a cation.
• When non-metals gain electrons, they become negatively charged, we
call this the anion.
Bonding
• Anions and cations are oppositely charged atoms.
• Therefore there is an attractive (electrostatic) force between them.
• This force causes the ions to align in a crystal structure.
Naming ionic compounds
• Metal first, non-metal second
• First name unchanged from periodic table
• Second name ends in –ide
• Eg: sodium + chlorine sodium chloride
• Potassium + bromine potassium bromide
Covalent bonding
Shapes of molecules
• Shapes of molecules is determined by the repulsion of pairs of
electrons
• According to electron pair repulsion theory, each pair of electrons
around an atom will repel all other pairs of electrons as far as
possible.
• Lone pairs of electrons have greater degree of repulsion than bonded
pairs of electrons
Molecules with bonded pairs

Linear

Tetrahedral
Molecules with lone pairs

Triangular
pyramidal

Bent
Properties of ionic and covalent bonds
Ionic compounds
Solid at room temperature. Have high melting and
boiling points.
Do not conduct electricity when solid. Conduct when
molten or dissolved in water
Soluble in water.
They are usually hard substances
Covalent compounds
Usually gases, liquids or solids at room temperature.
Have a higher volatility.
Poor conductors of heat and electricity
Most are not soluble in water. Some do dissolve.
Some are soluble in organic solvents
Forces between atoms in covalent molecules are
stronger than the intermolecular forces between
molecules
Buckminsterfullerene,