Elements, molecules and compounds

Elements, molecules and compounds

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Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about atoms, elements, molecules and compounds.

Question

diagram with atoms, compounds, elements and molecules
a)
In the diagram above, each circle represents one atom. Which row of the table shows the correct number of atoms, molecules, elements and compounds represented in the diagram?
 
   atom(s) molecule(s) element(s) compound(s)
Row A 1 1 1 3
Row B 1 3 2 1
Row C 8 1 3 1
Row D 8 3 3 1

    • Row A

    • Row B

    • Row C

    • Row D

Question

b)  Chloroform has the formula CHCl3. It contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and chorine (Cl).
     How many atoms are there in one molecule of CHCl3?

    • 3

    • 4

    • 5

    • 6

    • 9

Question

c)  Methanol has the formula CH3OH. It contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
   carbon hydrogen oxygen
Row A 3 4 1
Row B 3 3 1
 Row C 1 4 1
 Row D 1 4 3
Row E 1 3 1
     Which row in the table shows how many of each type of atom there are in one molecule of CH3OH?

    • Row A

    • Row B

    • Row C

    • Row D

    • Row E

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with auto-marking displayed to students).
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Material World
Keywords: 
structure of matter, atomic structure, elements, compounds, molecules, atoms, symbols, chemical formulae
Description of task: 
Using provided information students answer three multiple-choice questions about numbers of atoms, elements, molecules and compounds.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to identify how symbols are used to represent the structure of elements, mixtures and compounds.
 
Capability: Use evidence
This resource provides opportunities to discuss using information text and diagrams to make inferences.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations, Use evidence
Answers/responses: 
   Y10 (09/1997)
a) D difficult
b) C difficult
c) C difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
a) Option B chosen by 45% of students.
b) Option A chosen by 28% of students.
Option D chosen by 20% of students.
c) Option B chosen by 26% of students.
Option E chosen by 22% of students.