Matter and Atomic Structure

​What we will learn:

• Revision: Year 8 chemistry content

• What is matter?

• What is the atom?

• Atomic structure

​What is chemistry?

The study of the properties and behaviours of matter

We must understand what matter is and how it behaves, so we can do new and exciting things with it!

​What is matter?

• Anything that has mass and takes up space

• We build up from very small particles, to very large particles, and then to amalgamations of particles to create objects

What is the atom?

• The basic unit of matter

  • Smallest unit of matter that can be divided into without the release of charged particles

• Defines the element

  • i.e. an atom of oxygen, an atom of magnesium

​Atomic Structure

• ​Nucleus

• Subatomic particles

• Orbitals/shells

​Subatomic Particles

• Protons

  • positive, in the nucleus, heavy

• Neutrons

  • neutral, in the nucleus, heavy

• Electrons

  • negative, shells, light

We can determine properties and behaviours from the number and type of these subatomic particles

​History of atomic structure

Next up

• Atomic number and atomic mass

• Calculating subatomic particles

• Models of the atom