Chemistry Grade 8

Atomic Structure

Meaning of Atom
Atoms are the tiny building blocks of everything around us. Atoms are building blocks for
anything in the universe

Components of an Atom
These are components of an Atom
Nucleus:- The center of an atom is called the nucleus. Imagine the nucleus as the control
center of the atom.
Protons:- Protons are tiny positive charges (like a sticker with a plus sign) and they are
found in the nucleus.
Neutrons:- Compared to protons, neutrons are neutral (like a sticker without any sign).
They also help hold the nucleus together.

Electrons:-
Electrons are tiny negative charges (like a sticker with a minus sign) that orbit around the
nucleus in different layer or shells.

Atomic Number:-
Is the number of protons in the nucleus, it tells us what element it is. For example, hydrogen
has one proton, so its atomic number is 1.

Mass number:-
Is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, It gives the atom its mass. For
example, if an atom has 1 proton and 1 neutron, its mass number is 2.

Isotopes:-
Isotopes are atoms that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.
It's like having a gold atom with 79 neutrons and another gold atom with 80 neutrons.

Classwork

1. What is Atom?
2. How many components of atom do we have?
3. Mention the components of atom.
4. The center of an atom is called__________
5. _________ and _________ are found in the nucleus
6. Which component of an atom has a minus sign?
 7. Define Atomic number
8. What is mass number?
9. Isotopes are atoms that have the same number of ________ but different numbers
of ___________

Assignment
1. What is Bonding?
2. Write the types of bonding

Another example of a compound that forms ionic bonds is calcium chloride (CaCl2). In
calcium chloride, the calcium atom gives up two electrons to two chlorine atoms. This
creates a positive calcium ion (Ca2+) and two negative chloride ions (Cl-). The positive and
negative ions attract each other and form a strong ionic bond. Calcium chloride is commonly
used as a de-icing agent and in the food industry as a preservative.

Another example of a compound that forms ionic bonds is magnesium oxide (MgO). In
magnesium oxide, the magnesium atom gives up two electrons to an oxygen atom. This
creates a positive magnesium ion (Mg2+) and a negative oxide ion (O2-). The positive and
negative ions attract each other and form a strong ionic bond. Magnesium oxide is a white
powder that is used in the production of glass, ceramics, and as a refractory material in
furnaces.

A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond that occurs when two atoms share one or more
pairs of electrons. This creates a strong bond between the atoms. Covalent bonds can be
found in molecules like water and carbon dioxide.

To explain covalent bonding to a grade 8 student, you can use the example of a water
molecule (H2O). In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms share their electrons with one
oxygen atom. The oxygen atom shares one of its electrons with each hydrogen atom, and the
hydrogen atoms share their electrons with the oxygen atom. This creates a strong bond
between the atoms, and the resulting molecule is water.

You can also use the example of a carbon dioxide molecule (CO2) to explain covalent
bonding. In a carbon dioxide molecule, one carbon atom shares its electrons with two oxygen
atoms. The carbon atom shares one of its electrons with each oxygen atom, and the oxygen
atoms share their electrons with the carbon atom. This creates a strong bond between the
atoms, and the resulting molecule is carbon dioxide.

Understanding covalent bonding is important because it helps us understand the properties

of different substances and how they interact with each other.

An example of a metallic bond is the bond between iron atoms in a piece of iron. In a metallic
bond, the electrons are shared among many atoms, creating a "sea" of electrons. This allows
metals to be good conductors of electricity and heat, and gives them their characteristic
shine and malleability.

In a piece of iron, the iron atoms are arranged in a regular pattern, and the electrons are able
to move freely through the "sea" of electrons. This allows iron to conduct electricity and
heat, and gives it its characteristic shine and malleability. Metallic bonding is also
responsible for the strength and durability of metals, as the shared electrons create a strong
bond between the atoms.

Chemical bonding
Chemical bonding refers to the way atoms connect to each other to form molecules

Molecule
Molecules are the building blocks of everything around us. They are made up of tiny particles
called atom. Think of atoms as the individual pieces of a puzzle and molecules are the
completed puzzles and when atom join together in a specific way, they form a molecule.

Types of Chemical bonding

There are mainly three types of bonding
(1) ionic bonding
(2) covalent bonding
(3) metallic bonding

(1) ionic bonding:- This happens when one atom gives up an electron to another atom.
Metal atoms donates electrons to nonmetal atom

DIAGRAM
Think of it like a trade- the atom that gives up the electron becomes a positively charged ion.
These ions attract each other like magnets and form an ionic bond
Table salt (sodium, chloride) is a common example of a compound that forms through ionic
bonding.

Another example of a compound that forms ionic bonds is magnesium oxide (MgO). In
magnesium oxide, the magnesium atom gives up two electrons to an oxygen atom. This
creates a positive magnesium ion (Mg2+) and a negative oxide ion (O2-). The positive and
negative ions attract each other and form a strong ionic bond. Magnesium oxide is a white
powder that is used in the production of glass, ceramics, and as a refractory material in
furnaces.

Another example of a compound that forms ionic bonds is calcium chloride (CaCl2). In
calcium chloride, the calcium atom gives up two electrons to two chlorine atoms. This
creates a positive calcium ion (Ca2+) and two negative chloride ions (Cl-). The positive and
negative ions attract each other and form a strong ionic bond. Calcium chloride is commonly
used as a de-icing agent and in the food industry as a preservative.

(2)Covalent Bonding:- This type of bonding occurs when two atoms share one or more
pairs of electrons. It’s two non metal atom share electrons. You can imagine it like two
friends holding hands, where each person is holding the other’s hand (the electrons).

This creates a strong bond between the atoms. This type of bond is usually found in
molecules like water(H2O) and carbon dioxide(CO2)

We can use the example of a water molecule (H2O). In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms
share their electrons with one oxygen atom. The oxygen atom shares one of its electrons
with each hydrogen atom, and the hydrogen atoms share their electrons with the oxygen
atom. This creates a strong bond between the atoms, and the resulting molecule is water.

DIAGRAM

We can also use the example of a carbon dioxide molecule (CO2) to explain covalent bonding.
In a carbon dioxide molecule, one carbon atom shares its electrons with two oxygen atoms.
The carbon atom shares one of its electrons with each oxygen atom, and the oxygen atoms
share their electrons with the carbon atom. This creates a strong bond between the atoms,
and the resulting molecule is carbon dioxide.
DIAGRAM

(3) Metallic bonding:- Metallic bonds are the chemical bonds that hold atoms together in
metals by a ‘sea’ of electrons floating around.

They differ from covalent and ionic bonds because the electrons in metallic bonding are
delocalized, that is, they are not shared between only two atoms.

In metallic bonds electron float freely through the lattice of metal nuclei.
This type of bonding gives metals many unique material properties, including excellent
thermal and electrical conductivity. high melting points, and malleability.

An example of a metallic bond is the bond between iron atoms in a piece of iron. In a metallic
bond, the electrons are shared among many atoms, creating a "sea" of electrons. This allows
metals to be good conductors of electricity and heat, and gives them their characteristic
shine and malleability.

DIAGRAM

In a piece of iron, the iron atoms are arranged in a regular pattern, and the electrons are able
to move freely through the "sea" of electrons. This allows iron to conduct electricity and
heat, and gives it its characteristic shine and malleability. Metallic bonding is also
responsible for the strength and durability of metals, as the shared electrons create a strong
bond between the atoms.

Classwork
1. Define chemical bonding
2. State the types of chemical bonding
3. Which of the chemical bondings occurs when two atoms share one or more pairs of
electrons?
4. State one example of an ionic bonding and give brief explanation on it
5. What is metallic bonding?
6. Draw a diagram of both water(H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) explaining covalent
bond.
Assignment
1. Explain Polar Molecules
2. Draw a diagram of water(H2O) and state what type of bond it explain.
3. Draw a diagram of carbon dioxide (CO2) and what type of bond does it explain.
4. What is metallic bonding?

Polar Molecules
Polar molecules are a type of molecule that has a positive end and a negative end, like a
magnet.

This happens because the atoms in the molecule share electrons unevenly, causing one end
to be slightly positive and the other end to be slightly negative. This property makes polar
molecules attracted to each other and other substances.

Examples of polar molecules include water and ammonia.

Water (H2O)
is a polar molecule because the oxygen atom in the molecule is more electronegative than
the hydrogen atoms.

My explanation

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons towards itself.

Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, which means that it has a stronger pull
on the shared electrons in the covalent bonds between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

As a result, the shared electrons spend more time closer to the oxygen atom, giving it a
partial negative charge, and leaving the hydrogen atoms with a partial positive charge.
This creates a dipole in the molecule, with a positive end (the hydrogen atoms) and a
negative end (the oxygen atom).

Ammonia (NH3)
is also a polar molecule because the nitrogen atom in the molecule is more electronegative
than the hydrogen atoms.

My explanation
Like oxygen, nitrogen has a stronger pull on the shared electrons in the covalent bonds
between the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.

This causes the shared electrons to spend more time closer to the nitrogen atom, giving
it a partial negative charge, and leaving the hydrogen atoms with a partial positive
charge. This creates a dipole in the molecule, with a positive end (the hydrogen atoms)
and a negative end (the nitrogen atom).

The polarity of water and ammonia molecules affects their behavior and interactions
with other substances. For example, the positive and negative ends of these molecules
allow them to form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules and ions, which is
important for many biological processes.

Classwork
1. Define Electronegativity.
2. What properties makes polar molecules attracted to each other and other substances?
3. Which atom in the molecule (H2O) is more electronegative?
4. Which end has a positive end in water (H2O)
5. Explain how ammonia is a Polar molecule.
6. Which atom in the molecule (NH3) is more electronegative?
7. _________ has a stronger pull on the shared electrons in the covalent bonds between
the nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.

Non polar molecules

Nonpolar molecules are a type of molecule where the electrons are shared equally between
the atoms.

This means that the molecule has a symmetrical shape and there is no charge separation
within the molecule.(UnLike the strong positive charge or negative charge in polar
molecules)

One way to think about nonpolar molecules is to imagine a balance scale. In a nonpolar
molecule, the balance scale is balanced, meaning that the electrons are shared equally
between the atoms. This is different from polar molecules, where the balance scale is
unbalanced and there is a charge separation within the molecule.

Nonpolar molecules are often made up of the same type of atoms, such as two hydrogen
atoms bonded together to form a hydrogen molecule (H2) or two carbon atoms bonded
together to form a carbon molecule (C2).
Nonpolar molecules are important in many areas of chemistry and biology, and they have
unique properties that are different from polar molecules.

For example, nonpolar molecules tend to have

(1) Lower boiling
(2) Low nelting points than polar molecules,
(3) They are often more soluble in nonpolar solvents, such as oil or grease.

Classwork
1. What is a non polar molecule
2. Explain the comparison of polar and non polar molecules
3. State the properties of non polar molecules
4. State the properties of polar molecules

ENERGETICS AND RATES

Energetics and rates are important concepts in chemistry that help us understand how
chemical reactions occur and how fast they take place.

Energetics
Refers to the study of energy changes that occur during chemical reactions. In a chemical
reaction, energy is either released or absorbed. This energy change is called the enthalpy
change. When a reaction releases energy, it is called an exothermic reaction, and when it
absorbs energy, it is called an endothermic reaction. Understanding the energetics of a
reaction can help us predict whether a reaction will occur and how much energy is required
or released.

Rates
Refer to the speed at which a chemical reaction takes place. The rate of a reaction is
measured by the change in concentration of reactants or products over time.

Factors that can affect the rate of a reaction include

1. Temperature
2. Pressure and
3. The concentration of reactants.

By understanding the rates of reactions, we can control and optimize chemical processes in
industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and energy.
In summary, energetics and rates are two important concepts in chemistry that help us
understand the energy changes and the speed of chemical reactions.

FURTHER EXPLANATION

Sure, let me explain it in more detail.

Energetics is all about understanding the energy changes that happen during chemical
reactions. When two substances react with each other, energy is either released or
absorbed. This energy change is called the enthalpy change. If the reaction releases energy,
it's called an exothermic reaction, and if it absorbs energy, it's called an endothermic
reaction.

For example
When you burn wood in a fire, the reaction between the wood and oxygen in the air releases
energy in the form of heat and light. This is an exothermic reaction because energy is being
released.

On the other hand, when you dissolve a sugar cube in water, the reaction between the sugar
and water absorbs energy from the surroundings, making it an endothermic reaction.

Understanding the energetics of a reaction can help us predict whether a reaction will occur
and how much energy is required or released. This is important in many areas of chemistry,
such as in the design of chemical reactions for energy production or in the development of
new materials.

Rates, on the other hand, are all about how fast or slow a chemical reaction takes place. The
rate of a reaction is measured by how quickly the concentration of reactants or products
changes over time. Factors that can affect the rate of a reaction include temperature,
pressure, and the concentration of reactants.

Example
If you were to mix together two reactants in a test tube, you would see the reaction occur
more quickly at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures. This is because the higher
temperature gives the reactants more energy, which increases the chances of successful
collisions between the reactant molecules, leading to a faster reaction.

Understanding the rates of reactions is important in many industries, such as

pharmaceuticals, food, and energy. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, knowing the
rate of a chemical reaction can help us design drugs that release active ingredients slowly
over time, providing a more effective and targeted treatment.
In summary, energetics and rates are two important concepts in chemistry that help us
understand the energy changes and the speed of chemical reactions. By understanding
these concepts, we can predict and control chemical reactions in many areas of science and
industry.

Classwork
1. Define energetics concept in chemistry
2. Define Rates concept in chemistry
3. What’s an endothermic reaction?
4. What’s an exothermic reaction?
5. State the factors that can affect the rate of reaction
6. Give one example each for both exothermic and endothermic reactions.
7. What did you understand by enthalpy change?

THERMAL DECOMPOSITION

Thermal decomposition is a chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down into
two or more simpler substances when heated.

Imagine you have a big block of clay, and you heat it up. As it gets hotter, the clay starts to
break apart into smaller pieces. That's kind of like what happens during thermal
decomposition, except instead of clay, we're talking about chemicals. So, when we heat up a
chemical, it breaks down into smaller pieces, which are usually gases or other substances.
This process is called thermal decomposition.

Further explanation

Thermal decomposition is a type of chemical reaction where a single compound breaks down
into two or more simpler substances when heated. This process involves the breaking of
chemical bonds within the original compound, resulting in the formation of new substances.

Examples of Thermal decomposition

Let's consider the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is commonly
found in rocks and shells. When calcium carbonate is heated, it breaks down into calcium
oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. This reaction can be represented by the following
chemical equation:
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

In this reaction, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the original compound that undergoes thermal
decomposition. When heated, the chemical bonds within calcium carbonate are broken,
resulting in the formation of calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.

The products of thermal decomposition can vary depending on the original compound and
the temperature at which the reaction occurs. In some cases, the products may be gases,
while in other cases, they may be solid substances.

Thermal decomposition is an important process in various industries, such as

The production of metals

The manufacture of chemicals

The treatment of waste materials.

By understanding the principles of thermal decomposition, we can better appreciate the

chemical reactions that occur around us and harness them for practical applications.

Explaining further

Sure, let me explain thermal decomposition in more detail:

Thermal decomposition is a type of chemical reaction where a compound breaks down into
two or more simpler substances when heated. This process occurs because the heat energy
causes the bonds between the atoms in the compound to break, allowing the atoms to
rearrange themselves into new compounds.

For example, let's consider the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate (limestone).
When calcium carbonate is heated, it breaks down into calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon
dioxide. This reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation:

CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

In this equation, the (s) indicates that the substance is a solid, and the (g) indicates that the
substance is a gas. The reaction shows that one mole of solid calcium carbonate
decomposes to produce one mole of solid calcium oxide and one mole of carbon dioxide gas.

The heat energy from the heating process provides the energy needed to break the bonds
between the atoms in the calcium carbonate molecule. This energy allows the atoms to
rearrange themselves into new molecules, forming calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.

Thermal decomposition reactions are important in many industrial processes, such as the
production of metals, the manufacture of chemicals, and the treatment of waste. They are
also used in laboratory settings to produce specific compounds for experiments and
analysis.

Overall, thermal decomposition is a fundamental concept in chemistry that helps us

understand how compounds can be broken down into simpler substances through the
application of heat energy.