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Element or Compound Lab: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 8
- ForYear 8
- StageKey Stage 3
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Element or Compound Lab is a free printable science worksheet for Year 8 (ages 12 to 13) in Key Stage 3. Children study particle diagrams in boxes A to P and sort each one: E for element, C for compound, M for mixture. Then they write chemical formulae for the compounds. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet boxes labelled A to P, each showing particles. They decide whether each box is an element, a compound or a mixture and record E, C or M in a table. The table also has a column for the compound boxes and a column for the formula. Children write formulae for the compounds only. There are lines for writing, and a task that asks them to evaluate a report.
- Box
- Particles shown
- E, C or M
- Compound box
- Formula
Elements, compounds and mixtures
Everything around us is made of atoms. An element contains only one type of atom. A compound contains two or more different elements joined together chemically. Its formula shows which elements are in it and how many atoms of each. A mixture contains different substances that are not chemically joined, so each substance keeps its own properties. Year 8 learners need these three ideas to be clear and separate.
Chemists draw atoms as circles, often with different shading or size for different elements. Reading a particle diagram means asking two questions. How many kinds of atom can I see? And are the different atoms joined in one particle, or just sitting side by side? Joined atoms of the same kind do not make a compound. Joined atoms of different kinds do.
Quick science facts
- Atoms are far too small to see with the naked eye.
- Each element has a chemical symbol of one or two letters. The first letter is always a capital.
- A compound can have very different properties from the elements it is made from.
- A compound can only be broken down into its elements by a chemical reaction.
- Many mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtering or evaporating.
Skills and curriculum link
- Classifying particle diagrams
- Writing chemical formulae
- Scientific vocabulary
- Evaluating a report
- Giving reasons for answers
Ideas to keep in mind
- ElementLook for one kind of atom only. Check the particle shapes and shading carefully before you decide.
- CompoundLook for different kinds of atom joined together in the same particle, in a repeating pattern.
- MixtureLook for different particles that sit apart and are not joined to each other.
- FormulaA formula uses element symbols and small numbers to show how many atoms of each kind are in one particle.
Key words
- AtomThe smallest part of an element that still has the properties of that element.
- ElementA substance made of only one type of atom.
- CompoundA substance made of two or more different elements chemically joined together.
- MixtureTwo or more substances together that are not chemically joined.
- FormulaSymbols and numbers that show which atoms are in a substance and how many of each.
- ParticleA very small piece of matter. It can be a single atom or a group of atoms joined together.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the key words together first. Ask your child to explain element, compound and mixture in their own words.
- Work through boxes A to P in order. Ask for a reason each time, such as how many kinds of atom they can see.
- Write formulae for the compounds only. Then check the answers on page 2 and mark each box.
- Come back another day and redo any boxes that felt tricky. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Colour code the particles first, using one colour for each kind of atom. Then ask whether different atoms are joined in one particle, or just sitting side by side. Do the boxes that look easiest first, and return to the harder ones after.
To stretch confident children
Draw your own particle diagram for a mixture of two compounds. Swap with a partner and classify each other's diagram. Then explain your choice using the words atom, joined and kind. Check that the formulae match the diagram.
Make it a game
Play a team round. One player describes a particle diagram in words, such as how many kinds of atom and whether they are joined. The other team calls element, compound or mixture. A correct call with a reason scores a point.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child calls any box with joined atoms a compound.
Try thisCheck whether the joined atoms are all the same kind. Joined atoms of one kind can still be an element.
Watch forA child calls a box a compound because it shows two kinds of atom, even though they are apart.
Try thisAsk if the different atoms are joined in one particle. If they sit separately, think about a mixture.
Watch forA child writes a formula for every box, not only the compounds.
Try thisClassify every box first. Then go back and write formulae for the compound boxes only.
Talk about it
- How can you tell an element from a compound by looking at a diagram?
- Why do you think a mixture is not a new substance?
- What clue in a diagram showed you atoms were joined?
- Which box was hardest to decide, and why?
- How does a formula help a scientist describe a compound?
- What would you check in a report before you trusted it?
Take it off the page
Bead models
Use beads or coloured paper circles as atoms. Make models of an element, a compound and a mixture. Photograph or sketch each one and label it.
Building brick atoms
Use building bricks in different colours for different elements. Join some together and leave others loose. Ask someone to classify your model.
Flash card sort
Write element, compound and mixture on cards, with a one line description of each. Shuffle them and match each description to the right word, then check against your notes.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first few boxes, then let them lead. Ask them to explain each choice aloud. You do not need to be a chemist. The answers and notes on page 2 will guide you.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, plus a mark scheme for quick marking.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider science plan. It pairs well with books on atoms and the periodic table, and with everyday talk about materials. Reuse it for revision a few weeks later or for brothers and sisters.
Where this fits in science
Before this, children meet materials, states of matter and separating mixtures in primary science. They arrive in Year 7 with a sense that substances can be mixed, dissolved and separated, and they begin to use particle ideas to explain this.
After this, Key Stage 3 learners move on to chemical reactions, the periodic table and writing equations. Being secure in telling elements, compounds and mixtures apart makes those topics much easier, and it supports ideas about bonding later in secondary school.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Element or Compound Lab for?
It is written for Year 8 (ages 12 to 13) in Key Stage 3. It also works as revision for older children, or as a stretch task for confident Year 7 learners.
- What will children practise?
Children practise classifying particle diagrams as elements, compounds or mixtures, and writing chemical formulae. They also evaluate a report, which means giving reasons rather than just choosing answers.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters, other classes or revision.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. If your child likes to colour code particles, a few coloured pencils are enough.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Children read, think and write by hand.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 includes the answers.
- Where are the answers?
The answers are on page 2, which is for the grown up. Page 2 also has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.