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Science

Everything is Made of Atoms

Overview

Students explore the idea that everything around them is made of incredibly small particles called atoms, and that atoms combine to make molecules.

Learning Objective
Students understand that all matter is made of atoms and can describe the basic structure of atoms and molecules.

Resources needed

  • None — or balls of different sizes to represent atoms

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Ask: what is a stone made of? Keep asking: what is that made of? Push down to the smallest level.
  2. 2 Introduce atoms: everything is made of atoms — they are far too small to see, even with a microscope.
  3. 3 Explain: atoms are the smallest particles of an element that still have the properties of that element.
  4. 4 Introduce elements: pure substances made of just one type of atom (iron, oxygen, carbon).
  5. 5 Introduce molecules: two or more atoms bonded together (water = two hydrogen + one oxygen, H₂O).
  6. 6 Model with balls: one large ball (oxygen) bonded to two small ones (hydrogen) = water.
  7. 7 Ask: if you split a water molecule, do you get water? (No — you get separate hydrogen and oxygen gases).

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Build models of simple molecules: CO₂, O₂, H₂O using different-coloured clay balls.
  • Discuss the periodic table as a list of all known elements.
  • Connect to states of matter: how do atoms arrange differently in solids, liquids, and gases?
More information

Teach: atom, molecule, element, compound, bond, particle, matter. The model-building activity makes the abstract concrete.

Focus on the atom as the smallest particle and element as a pure substance before introducing molecules and compounds.

Can students explain the difference between an atom, an element, and a molecule? Can they give an example of each?

Model atoms with balls of clay, soil, or different-coloured fruits. Draw molecular structures in soil. No specialist equipment needed.

Students often think atoms look like miniature planets (the Bohr model). While useful as an introduction, real atoms are far stranger and do not have fixed orbits.

Understanding atoms and molecules is the gateway to all of chemistry. It also explains the states of matter, chemical reactions, and the periodic table. This concept underpins most of secondary science.

Activity details
Primary Challenging 20–25 minutes no prep Whole Class, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Atoms Molecules Matter