Atoms and Molecules

Atom, the smallest unit that matter can

be broken down into without releasing
any electrically charged particles. Atoms
are also the smallest unit of matter that
exhibits the characteristic properties of
an element. As such, the atom is the
fundamental building block for
chemistry.
 A molecule can be defined as the
combinations of two or more atoms
which are held together by chemical
bonds. A molecule is the smallest portion
of a substance which showcases all the
properties of the substance. On breaking
down a molecule further, we see
properties of the constituent elements
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 SUB-ATOMIC PARTICLES
Atoms are best described through
different atomic models. After a series
of experiments and observations, the
models have revealed the composition
of an atom. Atoms are made primarily
of three sub-particles such as proton,
electron and neutron.
 The number of protons in an atom determines
the positive nuclear charge of an atom. Protons
also determine the atomic number (Z) of an
element. We can tell how many protons an atom
of an element has by knowing its atomic
number. For example, the element beryllium (Be)
has an atomic number of 4. An atom of
beryllium has four protons. The element Krypton
(Kr) has an atomic number of 36, and one atom
of Krypton has 36 protons. In a neutral atom,
the number of proton and electron are the same.
 The proton is 1,836 times heavier than
the electron. When electrons and protons
are placed side by side, the proton will be
as big as a house, while the electron will
only be one of its light switches.
Together with protons, neutrons make up
the mass number (A) of an atom. To
determine the number of protons,
electrons and neutrons, use this formula:
 Atomic number = number of p+ = number of e-
Mass number = number of p+ + number of n0
Mass number – atomic number = number of neutrons
 ACTIVITIES
Let’s check your understanding, by performing the three sets of activities.
Activity 1: Atoms VS Molecules
Directions: Differentiate atom from molecules by completing the graphic organizer below.
ATOMS
MOLECULES
How are they alike?(AT LEAST 2 ANSWERS)
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How are they different? (AT LEAST 5 ANSWERS)

ATOMS
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MOLECULES
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 1. Which of the following are describes a molecule?
a. Cannot be broken down to simpler form
b. Can be broken down into simpler form
c. Contains protons, electrons and neutrons
d. Formed by physical combination of two or more atoms
2. All of the following describes an atom EXCEPT? a. It is made up of proton, electron and neutron
b. Made up of two or more substances bonded together
c. Cannot be broken down to simpler form
d. Iron, Gold, Oxygen are some of its examples

3. How many protons, electrons and neutrons are present in an atom of Fe?
a. p+= 26; e-= 26; n0= 56
b. p+= 26; e-= 56; n0= 26
c. p+= 26; e-= 26; n0= 30
d. p+= 26; e-= 30; n0= 26
4. How do we determine the number of neutrons of an atom? a. Add the number of protons and electrons
b. Subtract the number of protons and electrons
c. Subtract the mass number to the number of protons
d. Add the atomic number and the mass number of the atom

5. What type of elementary particles are electrons?

a. Quarks
b. Leptons
c. Gluons
d. All of the above