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Lesson 1: Introduction to the Particle Model What are particles? Evidence for particles Why matter is made of tiny particles
Year 8 • Chemistry
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Particle Model
In this lesson, students are introduced to the particle model and learn that all matter is made of tiny particles. The lesson explains what particles are, the evidence for their existence, and why this idea is essential in chemistry.
Lesson Objectives
- Understand what particles are.
- Explain why matter is made of tiny particles.
- Describe evidence that particles exist.
- Apply the particle model to real-life examples.
1. What Are Particles?
Particles are extremely small pieces that make up all matter.
Everything around us — solids, liquids, and gases — is made of particles that are too small to see.
[ Image Placeholder – Particle Model Diagram ]
Key ideas:
• Particles are tiny
• There is space between particles
• Particles are always moving
• Particles are tiny
• There is space between particles
• Particles are always moving
Real-life example:
Even though air looks empty, it is made of particles.
2. Evidence for Particles
We cannot see particles directly, but we can observe their effects.
[ Image Placeholder – Diffusion in Air or Liquid ]
Evidence includes:
• Smells spreading across a room (diffusion)
• Food colouring spreading in water
• Brownian motion (random movement of particles)
• Smells spreading across a room (diffusion)
• Food colouring spreading in water
• Brownian motion (random movement of particles)
These observations show that particles are constantly moving.
3. Why Is Matter Made of Tiny Particles?
The particle model helps explain how matter behaves.
It explains why substances can change state and why materials have different properties.
[ Image Placeholder – Particles in Solids, Liquids and Gases ]
Using particles explains:
• Why gases can be compressed
• Why liquids flow
• Why solids keep their shape
• Why gases can be compressed
• Why liquids flow
• Why solids keep their shape
Without the particle model, many everyday observations would be difficult to explain.
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- All matter is made of __________.
- Particles are too __________ to see.
- Particles are always in __________.
- Smells spreading in air is called __________.
- There is __________ between particles.
B. True or False
- Air is made of particles.
- Particles are completely still.
- Diffusion is evidence for particles.
- Particles can be seen with the naked eye.
- The particle model helps explain matter.
C. Short Answer
- What is a particle?
- Give one example of evidence for particles.
- Why can gases be compressed?
- Why can we smell perfume across a room?
- Why is the particle model important?
✅ Show Answer Key
A. Fill in the Blanks
- particles
- small
- motion
- diffusion
- space
B. True or False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
C. Short Answer
- A very small piece that makes up matter.
- Diffusion / Brownian motion.
- There is space between particles.
- Because particles move and spread out.
- It explains how matter behaves.
© Aviate Learning – Introduction to the Particle Model (Year 8)