Chapter 2

Simple Concepts of
Atoms and Molecules
Everything around us is made of molecules, bits
of matter so small that you can’t see them. This
highly magnified photo shows individual sugar
crystals, which are made of even smaller sugar
molecules.
Wa ter dro plet s ar e mad e of wa ter mo lecu le s
that bo nd toget her .
Matter is Made up of Atoms

 An element is made up of small

particles called atoms.
Atoms are so tiny that they can’t be seen with the
naked eye. However, they can be viewed and
photographed with a special microscope. This
picture shows atoms of the element silicon.
What Makes up an Atom?
 An atom comprises three types of
fundamental sub-atomic articles: electron,
proton and neutron.
 An atom is mostly empty space.
 It has a nucleus in the centre which
contains protons and neutrons.
 Electrons move around the nucleus in
fixed paths or orbits.
Data on Fundamental Sub-Atomic
Particles
Comparing the Size of Atoms
The Formation of Ions
The Formation of Ions
The Formation of Ions
Some Ions Formed by Atoms
What are Molecules?
 A molecule is usually made up of two
or more atoms chemically combined
together.
Representations of some Molecules of
Common Elements
Representations of some Molecules of
Common Elements
Chemical Formulae
 Nitrogen

 Carbon monoxide

 Water
Chemical Formulae
 Ammonia gas

 Ethanol