Lesson 1: Classification of Matter

Classification of Matter
Objectives: Students will...
... classify different types of matter within our world using element, compounds, mixtures, atoms, and pure substances
... investigate and discern different examples of matter with peer review and collaboration

Focus Question: How do atoms combine to make different types of matter?

Why?
Look at the things in the room. They are all matter. Matter may be a pure substance or it may be a mixture. Can you tell by looking at it? What if you looked under a microscope? Then could you tell? Something that looks pure may not really be pure. It depends on what type of particles an object or substance is mde of. In this activity we will explore how the smallest chemical units of matter determine whether something is classified as an element, a compound, or a mixture.

DIRECTIONS: Use the diagrams in Model 1 to answer questions 1-12. 

1

Match the numbers below in order to answer the questions.

2
3
4

How many atoms are in a molecule of RSq?
How many different types of atoms are found in TSq2R ?
How many Sq atoms are in TSq2R ?
How many different types of atoms are found in the sample of SqR3 & TSq?
How many different types of molecules are found in the sample of SqR3 & TSq?

1

When two atoms are touching in the drawings of Model 1, what is holding the atoms together?

1

Which of the following statements best describes particles?

1

How many particles are in the drawing representing T & RSq & R in Model 1 (below)?

1

Using your answers for 3-4, come up with your own definition for the word "particle."

1

What do the letters R, Sq, and T codes represent?

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
T		Round
R		Square
Sq		Triangle

1

What do the small numbers (subscripts) in the codes represent?

1

When atoms are held together by a chemical bond, how is that communicated in the code?

1

What is the common characteristic of the samples in which an '&' is used?

1

Examine the samples whose codes were missing. Drag and drop the proper code for each. (Note: some diagrams may have more than one correct answer!)

T7
R3Sq
RSq2
Sq5R15
R & Sq
SqR3
T
R2 & Sq8
R & Sq2
Sq2 & R

1

Read This!
Matter is classified as a pure substance when all of the particles are identical. Matter is classified as a mixture if there are different types of particles present.

DIRECTIONS: Determine which diagrams are of pure substances and which are mixtures.

Pure Substance
Mixture

1

Read This!
Elements are defined as pure substances made from only one type of atom. Compounds are defined as pure substances made from two or more types of atoms.

DIRECTIONS: Identify which diagrams are of elements and which are compounds.

Element
Compound

DIRECTIONS: Use the diagrams in Model 1 to answer questions 1-12. 

1

How are the codes (chemical formulas) for pure substances different from those for mixtures?

1

How are the codes (chemical formulas) for elements different from those for compounds?

1

Explain the difference between an atom and an element.

1

Explain the difference between a compound and a mixture.

1

Challenge Problem. Explain the difference between a compound and a molecule.

Hint: Both TSq and Sq2 can both be classified as a molecule. However, only TSq is considered a compound.

Confused? Need an explanation? Check out the video below!

1

The following diagrams represent two typical answers given by students to explain the atom vs an element. Which drawing is the best representation of an element? Explain.

1

Using the shapes tool, draw a particle diagram and write the code of a mixture of an element and a compound.

1

Categorize the following as elements, compounds, or mixtures

Element
Compound
Mixture

1

Determine the code (chemical formula) for the particle diagrams. Then classify them as either an element, compound, or mixture. (Note: You will NOT use all of the options!)

Mixture
Compound
R & SqT
RSq3
Sq2 & Sq3
Sq
R2 & SqT
R8Sq24
R2SqT
Element
Sq5

1

Match each diagram with the correct description.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
		Element
		Compound
		Mixture of two compounds
		Mixture of two elements
		Mixture of a compound and an element

1

Classify the subtances below as an element, compound, or mixture. Then, click on the 'show your work' box and draw a particle diagram of each using the code (chemical formula) provided

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
T2 & Sq & R3		Mixture of a compound and an element
T & R3Sq		Compound
Sq2T3		Mixture of different elements

1

Using what you know about chemical formulas, identify each of the following as an element, a compound, or a mixture.

NaHCO3
NaCl & H2O
C6H12O6 & H2O
Al
Cu & Zn
NaCl
Br2
CO2
C

Element
Compound
Mixture

1

Identify the correct code for this diagram, and classify the substance as an element, compound, or mixture.

1

Identify the correct code for this diagram, and classify the substance as an element, compound, or mixture.

1

Classification of Matter

Match the numbers below in order to answer the questions.

When two atoms are touching in the drawings of Model 1, what is holding the atoms together?

Which of the following statements best describes particles?

How many particles are in the drawing representing T & RSq & R in Model 1 (below)?

Using your answers for 3-4, come up with your own definition for the word "particle."

What do the letters R, Sq, and T codes represent?

What do the small numbers (subscripts) in the codes represent?

When atoms are held together by a chemical bond, how is that communicated in the code?

What is the common characteristic of the samples in which an '&' is used?

Examine the samples whose codes were missing. Drag and drop the proper code for each. (Note: some diagrams may have more than one correct answer!)

Read This!Matter is classified as a pure substance when all of the particles are identical. Matter is classified as a mixture if there are different types of particles present.DIRECTIONS: Determine which diagrams are of pure substances and which are mixtures.

Read This!Elements are defined as pure substances made from only one type of atom. Compounds are defined as pure substances made from two or more types of atoms.DIRECTIONS: Identify which diagrams are of elements and which are compounds.

How are the codes (chemical formulas) for pure substances different from those for mixtures?

How are the codes (chemical formulas) for elements different from those for compounds?

Explain the difference between an atom and an element.

Explain the difference between a compound and a mixture.

Challenge Problem. Explain the difference between a compound and a molecule.Hint: Both TSq and Sq2 can both be classified as a molecule. However, only TSq is considered a compound.

The following diagrams represent two typical answers given by students to explain the atom vs an element. Which drawing is the best representation of an element? Explain.

Using the shapes tool, draw a particle diagram and write the code of a mixture of an element and a compound.

Categorize the following as elements, compounds, or mixtures

Determine the code (chemical formula) for the particle diagrams. Then classify them as either an element, compound, or mixture. (Note: You will NOT use all of the options!)

Match each diagram with the correct description.

Classify the subtances below as an element, compound, or mixture. Then, click on the 'show your work' box and draw a particle diagram of each using the code (chemical formula) provided

Using what you know about chemical formulas, identify each of the following as an element, a compound, or a mixture.

Identify the correct code for this diagram, and classify the substance as an element, compound, or mixture.

Identify the correct code for this diagram, and classify the substance as an element, compound, or mixture.

Identify the correct code for this diagram, and classify the substance as an element, compound, or mixture.

Read This!
Matter is classified as a pure substance when all of the particles are identical. Matter is classified as a mixture if there are different types of particles present.

DIRECTIONS: Determine which diagrams are of pure substances and which are mixtures.

Read This!
Elements are defined as pure substances made from only one type of atom. Compounds are defined as pure substances made from two or more types of atoms.

DIRECTIONS: Identify which diagrams are of elements and which are compounds.

Challenge Problem. Explain the difference between a compound and a molecule.

Hint: Both TSq and Sq2 can both be classified as a molecule. However, only TSq is considered a compound.