All materials are made from tiny particles called atoms. Atoms combine or join together to form different types of particles including molecules, ions and molecular ions. A limitation of the particle model of matter is that it does not tell us anything about the nature of the particles to which it is being applied.
After working through this topic, you will be able to:
- understand some of the limitations of the particle model of matter;
- recognise when a chemcial change takes place;
- appreciate some of difficulties students have in understanding different representations of elements, compounds and mixtures; and
- access a range of resources to support the learning and teaching of the ideas covered in this topic.