Particles, Atoms and Elements
A particle-to-materials sequence that prepares students for Y8 reactions and Y9 IGCSE Principles of Chemistry.
What makes matter change, and how can an invisible particle model explain what we observe?
The particle model connects everyday changes—melting, boiling and diffusion—to atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures.
Spiral links
This topic builds on and feeds forward to:
- Y7 Working Scientifically: models, measurements and fair tests
- Y8 Reactions, Acids and Alkalis
- Y9 IGCSE Bridge: states, mixtures, atomic structure and Group 1
Lessons in this topic
The particle model
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
States of matter
Practical connection: States
Melting and freezing
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Boiling
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
More changes of state
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Diffusion
Practical connection: Diffusion
Gas pressure
Practical connection: Gas pressure
Using the particle model
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Atoms
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Elements
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Compounds and molecules
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Compounds and molecules: models
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Chemical formulae and balancing
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Mixtures
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Solutions
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Solubility
Practical connection: Solubility
Filtration
Practical connection: Separation
Evaporation and distillation
Core explanation, retrieval and Exam Practice.
Chromatography
Practical connection: Chromatography