How are elements and compounds different?
Activities Review and extend pupils’ understanding of the difference between elements and compounds or non-elements by providing them with a series of cards, the first giving a description of appearance, the second the formula and the third the composition, eg one atom of oxygen joined to two atoms of hydrogen, and asking pupils in groups to match them in sets of three and to sort into elements and non-elements. Make sure that pupils are clear that compounds contain atoms of more than one kind joined together. Outcomes distinguish between elements and compounds relate formulae to the numbers and types of atom in a compound Objectives that elements contain only one kind of atom that compounds contain more than one kind of atom joined together that formulae indicate the (relative) numbers of atoms in a compound Points to note If unit 8E ‘Atoms and elements’ and unit 8F ‘Compounds and mixtures’ are taught in a block, pupils may need to spend less time on these introductory activities. If
