Atoms, Elements, and Compounds

Understand that all substances are fundamentally made of atoms and describe an atom as the smallest part of an element that can exist.

Recognise that atoms of each element are universally represented by a specific chemical symbol, such as O for oxygen or Na for sodium.

Recall that there are approximately 100 different chemical elements, all of which are categorised and displayed in the periodic table.

Describe compounds as substances newly formed from elements via chemical reactions, noting that these reactions always involve the formation of one or more new substances and often involve a detectable energy change.

Explain that compounds contain two or more different elements chemically combined in fixed, defined proportions.

Represent compounds using precise chemical formulae that incorporate the symbols of the atoms from which they were formed.

Understand that compounds can only be separated back into their constituent elements through chemical reactions.

Represent chemical reactions accurately using clear word equations or balanced symbol equations.

Use the standard names and chemical symbols of the first 20 elements in the periodic table, the elements in Groups 1 and 7, and other specifically noted elements.

Name specific compounds of these elements when provided with a formula or a balanced symbol equation.

Write correct word equations, formulate correct chemical formulae, and construct balanced chemical equations for specified reactions.

Write accurately balanced half-equations and ionic equations where appropriate (Higher Tier only).