Science KS 3 Unit 8E Atoms and elements

In this unit pupils:

• learn that the huge range of materials is made from a relatively small number of elements.
• learn that each element is composed of one sort of atom only.
• explore the characteristics of some elements.
• use the particle model to describe what happens when elements combine.

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• model differences between particles in elements and non-elements.
• organise and sequence information from secondary sources.
• choose an approach to find out whether a substance is an element or not.

This unit is expected to take approximately 7.5 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• model-building-brick system
• a collection of materials, including biological materials, eg leather, bone, wood
• access to information sources, eg CD-ROM, internet, data books, which can be searched
• paper/card cubes or thick paper from which cubes can be made
• large periodic table which can be placed on a table or floor
• individual copies of the periodic table for pupils
• copies of pupils' periodic tables in other languages
• samples or photographs of a wide variety of elements
• models, or photographs of models, of a range of molecules, including very large structures, eg DNA and enzymes
• software simulations of chemical reactions