2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
NOTES
Concept Map:
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or
an
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SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS: Answer in a sentence or two:
Q1. When will two elements on being mixed form a compound?
Ans: A compound is only formed when two or more elements will chemically react with each other
on mixing them together. In case the conditions to undergo a chemical reaction are not suitable, the
elements will mix with each other to form a mixture.
Example:
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
Q2. Why are the properties of different compounds so different from each other?
Ans: Properties of one compound differ from that of the other because of the following reasons:
1. Each compound is formed by a different set of elements.
2. Even with the same set of elements, different compounds are formed by varying numbers of
constituent atoms.
Example: Just varying the number of carbon and oxygen atoms, we get carbon monoxide or CO (toxic
gas) and carbon dioxide or CO2 (non-toxic gas).
a
Q3. Why are most elements not found in the free state in nature?
or
Ans: Most of the elements are reactive and have a high affinity to combine with other elements to
form a compound. Thus, most of the elements cannot exist freely in nature.
Q4. How can you form iron sulphide from a mixture of iron and sulphur?
an
Ans: By heating the mixture of iron and sulphur we can produce iron sulphide. Therefore, heat which
is the condition required for chemically reacting iron and sulphur, is satisfied.
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Q5. What does a formula represent?
Ans: A formula represents the kind of elements present in a compound and the number of atoms
and molecules of those elements in the compound.
Example: The formula 2H2O represents 2 molecules of water, where each molecule of water contains
2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen.
Q6. Define valency in terms of hydrogen.
Ans: The combining capacity of an element is called its valency. The valency of hydrogen is
considered as 1. Therefore, valency in terms of hydrogen is defined as the combining or displacing
capacity of several hydrogen atoms by one atom of an element.
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
LONG - ANSWER QUESTIONS: Answer these questions:
Q1. Explain the differences between an element and a compound? Give examples.
Ans:
Elements Compound
Substance that contains only one type of atom and Substance produced by combining two or
cannot be further divided chemically is called an more elements in a constant ratio is called a
element. compound.
a
The smallest particle of a compound is a
The smallest particle of an element is an atom.
molecule.
or
Example: Silver (Ag) Example: Common salt (NaCl)
Q2. Explain the difference between the atom and the molecule of an element. Can a molecule of an
element be the same as its atom? Give an example.
an
Ans:
Atom Molecule
Molecule is defined as the smallest particle of a
Atom is the smallest particle of an element which
compound which can be further divided into
cannot be further divided chemically.
atoms chemically.
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It may or may not exist freely in nature. A molecule bears the same property as its atom.
Example: Hydrogen (H) Examples: Hydrogen gas (H2)
A molecule of an element can be same as its atom.
Example: A molecule of oxygen will have 2 atoms of oxygen.
Q3. Write the formulae of the following compounds, showing the steps involved.
(a) sodium oxide
(b) magnesium nitrate
(c) magnesium sulphate
(d) aluminium chloride.
Ans:
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
(a) Sodium oxide
● The elements in sodium oxide are sodium and oxygen. The valency of sodium is 1 and
oxygen is 2. Therefore, we write the symbols as Na1 andO2.
● The common factor among the numbers 1 and 2 is nil.
● The valencies are exchanged and are written as subscripts to the elements. Thus, the
formula of sodium oxide would be Na2O.
a
or
(b) Magnesium nitrate
● Magnesium nitrate contains the element magnesium and nitrogen. The valency of
magnesium is 2 and radical of nitrogen is 1. Therefore, we write the symbols as Mg2 and
(NO3)1.
an
● The common factor among the numbers 1 and 2 is nil.
● The valencies are exchanged and written as superscripts to the elements. As the radical
contains more than 2 atoms, the radical is written in brackets and the exchanged valency is
written as its subscript. Thus, the formula of magnesium nitrate would be Mg (NO3)2.
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(c) Magnesium sulphate
● Magnesium sulphate contains the element magnesium and sulphur. The valency of
magnesium is 2 and that of the radical of sulphur is also 2. Therefore, we write the symbols
as Mg2 and (SO4)2.
● The common factor among the numbers 2 and 2 is one.
● As both the element and radical’s valencies are one, neither the radical will not be written in
brackets nor the valency number will be written as a subscript. Thus, the formula of
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
Magnesium sulphate would be MgSO4.
(d) Aluminium chloride
● The elements in aluminium chloride are aluminium and chlorine. The valency of aluminium is
3 and chlorine is 1. Therefore, we write the symbols as Al3 and Cl1.
a
● The common factor among the numbers 1 and 3 is nil.
● The valencies are exchanged and are written as subscripts to the elements. Thus, the formula
or of aluminium chloride would be AlCl3.
an
Q4. What is a chemical equation? Why is it necessary to balance an equation?
Ans:
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A chemical equation is the symbolic representation of a chemical reaction. With the help of symbols
of elements and formulas of compounds, a chemical reaction is explained as a simple equation for
better understanding.
One of the essential conditions of writing a chemical equation is that the total number of atoms of all
the elements on both sides (LHS and RHS) of the chemical equation should be equal.
Example:
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
5. Balance the following equations.
Ans:
For balancing a chemical equation, the number of atoms should be equal on both the sides
(LHS and RHS). Thus, a balanced chemical equation is written as:
a
or
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6. Using the example of calcium chloride explain how the formulae of compounds are derived (given
that the valency of calcium is 2 and that of chlorine is 1).
Ans:
The steps involved in writing the formula for a compound are as follows:
● The elements in calcium chloride are calcium and chlorine. The valency of calcium is 2 and
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chlorine is 1. Therefore, we write the symbols as Ca2 andCl1.
● The common factor among the numbers 1 and 2 is nil.
● The valencies are exchanged and written as subscripts to the elements. Therefore, the
formula of calcium chloride would be CaCl2.
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
HOTS QUESTIONS: Think and answer.
1. The symbol of an element is X. Is it possible that the formula of the element will also be X? Explain
with examples.
Ans:
Yes, it is possible that the symbol as well as the formula of an element can be the same (X). However,
a
this is not applicable to all the elements.
For example, all mono-atomic (made up of only one atom) elements like C, Na, Ca, He, etc., have the
or
symbol and formula.
2. Scientists can break atoms to get still smaller particles. In the light of what you have read in this
chapter, do you think that a broken atom of say gold, will have the same properties as an atom of
an
gold?
Ans:
No, a broken atom of gold will not necessarily retain the same properties of its original atom. The
smallest particle of an element is an atom; therefore, dividing it further will only destroy its
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properties.
3. Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe. However, there are no known
compounds of helium. Why?
Ans:
Helium is an inert element (noble gas). It is highly non-reactive in nature, and can hardly combine
with any other element to form any compound. Therefore, even if helium is abundantly present in
the universe there are no known compounds of it.
Definitions: -
⮚ Matter:
Anything that has mass and occupies space.
⮚ Atom:
2023– 2024
Subject: Science Grade: VII
Chapter: 3- Structure of Matter
It is the smallest structural unit of any element.
⮚ Molecule:
It is formed when two or more atoms combine.
⮚ Element:
A substance made up of same kinds of atoms.
⮚ Compound:
A substance formed by chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed proportion.
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⮚ Chemical symbols:
The abbreviated forms of the names of element
⮚
or Atomicity:
The number of atoms present in a molecule of an element.
Valency:
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A measure of combining capacity of an element or a group.
⮚ Chemical formula:
Symbolic representation of the name of a compound.
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