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Lesson 8: Elements What is an element? Examples of elements Periodic table overview (intro)
Year 8 • Chemistry
Lesson 8: Elements
In this lesson, students learn what elements are, explore common examples, and are introduced to the periodic table as a way of organising all known elements.
Lesson Objectives
- Understand what an element is.
- Identify examples of elements.
- Recognise elements in everyday life.
- Understand the purpose of the periodic table.
1. What Is an Element?
An element is a substance made of only one type of atom.
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical methods.
[ Image Placeholder – Element Particle Diagram ]
Key idea:
• All atoms in an element are the same
• Each element has its own symbol
• All atoms in an element are the same
• Each element has its own symbol
2. Examples of Elements
There are over 100 known elements. Some are very common and used every day.
[ Image Placeholder – Common Elements ]
Examples:
• Oxygen (O) – needed for breathing
• Iron (Fe) – used to make tools and buildings
• Copper (Cu) – used in electrical wires
• Gold (Au) – used in jewellery
• Oxygen (O) – needed for breathing
• Iron (Fe) – used to make tools and buildings
• Copper (Cu) – used in electrical wires
• Gold (Au) – used in jewellery
3. Introduction to the Periodic Table
The periodic table is a chart that organises all known elements.
Each element has a symbol and a place in the table.
[ Image Placeholder – Periodic Table Overview ]
Key points:
• Each element has a symbol (e.g. O, Fe, Na)
• Elements are arranged in rows and columns
• Similar elements are grouped together
• Each element has a symbol (e.g. O, Fe, Na)
• Elements are arranged in rows and columns
• Similar elements are grouped together
4. Why Are Elements Important?
Elements make up everything around us, including air, water, food, and our bodies.
[ Image Placeholder – Elements in Daily Life ]
• Oxygen helps us breathe
• Carbon is found in all living things
• Metals are used in machines and buildings
• Carbon is found in all living things
• Metals are used in machines and buildings
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- An element contains only one type of __________.
- Elements cannot be broken down __________.
- The symbol for oxygen is __________.
- Iron is used to make __________.
- The periodic table organises all __________.
B. True or False
- An element contains different types of atoms.
- Oxygen is an element.
- The periodic table contains compounds.
- Each element has a symbol.
- Gold is a metal.
C. Short Answer
- What is an element?
- Give two examples of elements.
- What is the periodic table?
- Why are elements important?
- What symbol is used for iron?
✅ Show Answer Key
A. Fill in the Blanks
- atom
- chemically
- O
- tools / buildings
- elements
B. True or False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
C. Short Answer
- A substance made of one type of atom.
- Oxygen, iron, copper (any two).
- A chart that organises elements.
- They make up everything around us.
- Fe
© Aviate Learning – Elements (Year 8)
🧪 Interactive Periodic Table (KS3)
Click on an element to learn whether it is a metal or non-metal and see how it is used in everyday life.
H
He
C
N
O
Ne
Si
P
S
Cl
Click an element to see details.