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General Science GRADE 8 Student TextBook
 Narrate the historical development of the atomic nature of
substances;
UNIT TWO
 Appreciate that atoms are the building blocks which make up all
COMPOSITION OF MATTER
substances;

Learning Outcomes:
 Demonstrate understanding of the idea that the identity of a
 Narrate the historical development of the atomic nature of
substance is determined by its atomic structure;
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
substances;
 Differentiate molecules of elements from molecules of
•  narrate the historical
Appreciate that atomsdevelopment of blocks
are the building the atomic
whichnature of all
make up
compounds;
substances;
substances;
• appreciate that atoms
Demonstrate are the
scientific building
inquiry blocks
skills whichthis
along makeunit:
up
allDemonstrate
substances; understanding of the idea that the identity of a
communicating, asking questions, drawing conclusions,
• demonstrate
substance is understanding
determined by itsofatomic
the idea that the identity
structure;
applying concepts.
of a substance is determined by its atomic structure;
Differentiate molecules of elements from molecules of
 contents
Main
• differentiate molecules of elements from molecules
ofcompounds;
2.1 Early compounds;
thinking about the composition of matter
2.2• Inside
demonstrate
Demonstrate scientific
of an atom inquiry
scientific skills skills
inquiry along this unit:this unit:
along
communicating, asking questions, drawing conclusions,
 communicating, asking and
Parts of an atom (nucleus questions, drawing conclusions,
electron Shells)
applying concepts.
 applying concepts.
The Subatomic Particles of the atom
Main
 contents
Relative mass, the charge and location of sub-atomic particles
2.1 Early thinking
 Atomic aboutand
number themass
composition
number of matter
2.2 Inside of an atom of the electrons, protons and neutrons
 Determination
2.3  Parts of an atom (nucleus and electron Shells)
Molecules
 The Subatomic
Molecules Particles of the atom
of elements
 Relative
Moleculesmass, the charge and location of sub-atomic particles
of Compounds
 Atomic number and mass number
 Determination of the electrons, protons and neutrons
38
2.3 Molecules
 Molecules of elements
 Molecules of Compounds

25
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General Science GRADE 8 Student TextBook

2.1 Early Thinking about the Composition of Matter

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Give a short history of the concept of the atom;
• Compare and contrast the continuity and discreteness
(discontinuity) theory of matter;
• Compare earlier conceptions of the structure of matter
with their conceptions.

Activity 2.1
Form groups and discuss the following and present your opinion to
the class.
1. What is matter?
2. What do you think matters made up of?

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter

comes from ancient Greek philosophers, the scientists of their day.
Some of them argued that matter is continuous i.e., it could be divided
endlessly into smaller pieces. Others believed that matter is discrete;
i.e., it cannot be infinitely divided.
Democritus (460 - 370 B.C) expressed the belief that all matter
consists of very small, indivisible particles, which he named atomos
(meaning uncuttable or indivisible). He thought of atoms as moving
particles that differed in shape and size which could join together.
According to Democritus matter is discrete.
Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C) argued that matter is divided into smaller
and smaller parts, the division continuous forever without any limit.
He did not believe in microscopic building particles of matter.
Therefore, according to Aristotle, matter is continuous and he believed
that matter consisted of the combinations of fire, earth, air, and water.

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 consistedofofthe
consisted thecombinations
combinationsofoffire,
fire,earth,
earth,air,
air,and
andwater.
water.
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General Science GRADE 2.2 8
Activity2.2
Activity Student TextBook
Formtwo
Form twogroups
groupsand
anddebate
debateononone
oneofofthe
thefollowing
followingideas
ideasassigned
assignedtotoyour
your
group.After
Afterdiscussion
group.
Activity 2.2 discussionpresent
presentyour
yourreasons
reasonstotothe
theclass.
class.

Form1.1.IfIfmatter
two matter
groups isisdivided
divided
and andon
and
debate subdivided
subdivided
one of the again
again andagain,
and
following again, what
what
ideas would
would
assigned
to yourultimately
group. After
ultimately discussion present your reasons to the class.
bebeobtained?
obtained?
1. Ifa.a.
matter
Groupis
Group 1:1:divided and
According
According subdivided
totoAristotle‘s again and again, what would
believe
Aristotle‘sbelieve
ultimately
Group2:be
b.b.Group
obtained?
2:According
According totoDemocritus‘s
Democritus‘sbelieve
believe
a. Group 1: According to Aristotle’s believe
b. Group 2: According to Democritus’s believe

Table2.1Comparison
Table 2.1Comparisonbetween
betweenthe
thediscrete
discreteand
andcontinuous
continuoustheory
theory
ofofmatter
matter
DiscretenessTheory
Discreteness Theory ContinuousTheory
Continuous Theory
ProposedbybyDemocritus
Proposed Democritus ProposedbybyAristotle
Proposed Aristotle
Thereisisa alimit
There limittotowhich
whichmatter
matterisisbroken
broken Matterisisinfinitely
Matter infinitelydivisible
divisible
Believedininthe
Believed theexistence
existenceofofatoms
atoms Rejectedthe
Rejected theidea
ideaofofatoms
atoms

Exercise
4040
2.1
1. Compare and contrast the continuity and discreteness theory of
matter.

2.2 Inside of an Atom

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

• describe the structure of an atom as a nucleus containing
protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in shells
(energy levels);
• state the relative charge and approximate relative mass of a
proton, a neutron and an electron;
• draw hydrogen atoms, including the location of the protons
and electrons, with respect to the nucleus;
• differentiate between mass number and atomic number;
• determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in
an atom.

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General Science GRADE 8 Student TextBook

What are the two parts of atom?

An atom consists of a tiny dense nucleus surrounded by electrons. The
nucleus contains positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, so
it is positively charged. The electrons are negatively charged. Protons
and neutrons have approximately the same mass and are about 1800
times more massive than an electron. This means that most of the mass
of an atom is in its nucleus. However, most of the volume of an atom is
occupied by its electrons.

Figure 2.1 Diagrammatic representation of the atom

The subatomic particles

Activity 2.3
Draw a simple sketch of hydrogen atom model on your exercise
book by using coloured pen following the instructions listed below.
i. Draw a small circle labeled ‘‘nucleus’’.
ii. Add a smaller circle labeled ‘‘proton’’ inside the nucleus.
iii. Add another circle around the nucleus and add a symbol
such as a dot for the electron

Atoms possess internal structure; that is, they are made up of even
smaller particles, which are called subatomic particles. A subatomic
particle is a very small particle that is a building block for atoms.

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General Science GRADE 8 Student TextBook

An atom contains three fundamental sub atomic particles: proton,

electron and neutron. An atom has a definite number of protons,
electrons and neutrons. The structure of the atom describes how these
particles
The relativeare arranged
charge to ismake
of a proton +1. Theanelectron
atom.is assigned a charge
The
of −1.relative
The neutron charge of azero
is assigned proton
charge.isSince
+1.anTheatom electron
has equal is assigned a
charge of −1. The neutron is assigned zero charge. Since an atom
number of protons and electrons, it is electrically neutral.
has equal number of protons and electrons, it is electrically neutral.
A proton has a mass of 1.673 × 10–24 g, and –24 a neutron has a mass of
A proton has a mass of 1.673 × 10 g, and a neutron has a mass of
–24
1.675 ××1010–24
1.675 g. Thus, a proton
g. Thus, and a neutron
a proton and ahave almost the
neutron havesamealmost the same
–28
mass. Since
mass. Since the the
massmass of an iselectron
of an electron very small,is9.109
very× 10small,g, its9.109 × 10–28 g,
its mass
mass is assumed
is assumed to beornegligible
to be negligible approximatelyorzeroapproximately
because it is zero because
it2000
is times
≈ 2000 times
less heavy thanless heavier
both the than
proton and both the proton and neutron.
neutron.
Table 2.2Nature and location of sub-atomic particles

Particle‘ Location Actual Mass Relative Actual Charge Relative
Relative
charge
Name (g) Mass (amu) (C) Charge
( C)
Proton Nucleus 1.673 10-24 1.00728 1 +1.60218 10-19 +1
+1
Electron Outside nucleus 9.109 10-28 0.00055 0 -1.60218 10-19 -1
-1
(shell)
Neutron Nucleus 1.675 10-24 1.00866 1 0 0

Project
Project Work 2.1
Work
Prepare
Prepare hydrogen
hydrogen model bymodel by using
using locally locally
available available
materials in groups materials in
groups
and present and present
your model your
to the rest ofmodel
class.. to the rest of class.
Atomic Number and Mass Number
Atomic Number and Mass Number
Activity 2.4
Activity 2.4
Form groups and discuss the following. Share your opinion with
Form groups and discuss the following activity. Share your opinion
your group members and present your group opinion‘s to the class.
with your group members and present your group opinion’s to the class.
Determine atomic numbers and mass numbers of common elements
Determine atomic numbers and mass numbers of common elements
by using periodic table.
by using periodic table. 43

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General Science GRADE 8 Student TextBook

All atoms can be identified by the number of protons and neutrons

they contain. The atomic number (Z) of an atom equals the number
of protons in its nucleus. The atomic number is also the number of
electrons that surround the nucleus of a neutral atom.
Atomic number (Z) = Number of protons= number of electrons
Mass number (A) is the sum of the number of protons and the
number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.Except for the most
common form of hydrogen, which has one proton and no neutrons,
all atomic nuclei contain both protons and neutrons.
Mass number (A) = Number of protons + Number of neutrons.
= Atomic number + Number of neutrons.
The mass and atomic numbers of a given atom are often specified
using the notation:
Mass number
Atomic number
A
Z x Symbol of element

12
Example: 6 C , mass number = 12, atomic number = 6, and C is the
symbol of carbon.
Determination of the electrons, protons and neutrons
Activity 2.5
Form groups and discuss the following activity. Share your opinion
with your group members.
1. Use a periodic table to tell the atomic number, mass number,
proton numbers, neutron numbers and electron numbers of
the first 10 elements.
Proton is equal to the atomic number of atoms.
Number of protons = atomic number (Z)
Electron: The atom is neutral therefore the number of electrons is
equal to the number of protons.
Number of electrons = atomic number (Z) = number of protons
The number of neutrons in an atom is equal to the difference
between the mass number and the atomic number or proton number.

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 equal to the
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Ethiopian
General Science GRADE 8
Number of electrons = atomic number (Z) = number of protons
Student TextBook
The number of neutrons in an atom is equal to the difference between
the mass number and the atomic number or proton number.
Number of neutrons = Mass number (A) - Number of protons
Number of neutrons = Mass number (A) - Number of protons
Exercise 2.2 Exercise 2.2
Give Give
the appropriate
the appropriateanswers
answers for thefollowing
for the following questions.
questions.
1. Complete thethe
1. Complete following
following table.
table.
Particle Location Actual Mass (g) Relative Relative
Mass (amu) Charge
Proton
Electron
Neutron
2. A nucleus consists of 9 protons and 10 neutrons. Determine:
2. A nucleus consists of 9 protons and 10 neutrons. Determine:
i.i. TheThe element by referring periodic table
element by referring periodic table
ii. Mass number
ii. Mass number
3.3.How
Howmany neutrons,protons
many neutrons, protons
andand electrons
electrons are inthere
are there in an
an atom
of theofelement 14 14
atom 7 N?
the element 7N ?

2.3 Molecules
45

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

• define molecules;
• give examples of monatomic, diatomic and polyatomic
molecules;
• use models or particles model diagram to represent molecules
of elements and compounds.

Activity 2.6
Form groups and discuss the following activiy. Share your opinion
with your group members. After discussion present your findings to
the class.
1. What is molecule?
2. Mention some examples of monoatomic, diatomic and
poly atomic molecules.

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