8

Science
Quarter 3 – Week 5 & 6 –
Module 3: Atoms

AIRs - LM
Science
Quarter 3 – Week 5 & 6 - Module 3: Atoms
First Edition, 2021
Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Mark Lorence D. Bigso

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos, Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

 Target

Water, rock, and air are examples of matter found in almost all corners
of the environment. At home, at school, or even at work, a certain matter is
used to perform our daily tasks. But what is inside this matter? What is the
tiniest bits of matter that make up all that we see around us? All these
questions will be answered as we go along with this module.

Describing what is inside the atom and determining the number of

Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons are vital for a Grade 8 Learner in order to
achieve greater hikes in the field of chemistry.

After going through this module, you are expected to attain the following
objectives:

Learning Competency:

• Determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a

particular atom (S8MT-IIIe-f-10)

Subtasks:
1. Trace the history of the Idea of Atoms;
2. List the postulates of Dalton’s Atomic Theory;
3. Describe the structure of an atom and the subatomic particles such as
protons, neutrons, and electrons; and
4. Define atomic number and mass number and their connection to the three
subatomic particles.
 Pre-test

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a

separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the basic unit of matter and is considered as the smallest unit
of an element?
A. Atom
B. Electron
C. Neutron
D. Proton
For Numbers 2 and 3, refer to the following illustration/drawing below.

+0 B

2. Which part is a negatively charged particle?

A. Part A
B. Part B
C. Part C
D. Part A and Part B

3. Which part would determine the mass of an atom and is collectively

known as nucleus?
A. A only
B. A and B
C. B and C
D. C only

4. What are the three subatomic particles?

A. Proton, Neutron, and Hydrogen
B. Nucleus, Proton, and Neutron
C. Proton, Neutron, Electron
D. Proton, Ion, and Electron
5. Who developed the Atomic Theory of matter?
A. Antoine Lavoisier
B. John Dalton
C. Ernest Rutherford
D. Joseph Proust

6. Which statement about subatomic particles is TRUE?

A. Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons all have the same mass
B. An electron has less mass than either a proton or neutron
C. Unlike protons or neutrons, electrons have no mass
D. Neutrons have no charge and no mass

7. The mass number of the atom can be obtained by _________.

A. Adding the protons and the electrons
B. Adding the electrons and neutrons
C. Determining the number of protons only
D. Adding the number of protons and neutrons

8. The atomic number of an element is equal to _________.

A. The number of protons in an atom
B. The number of neutrons in an atom
C. The number of protons plus the number of electrons in the atom
D. The number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the atom

9. To determine the number of neutrons in the nucleus of a neutral atom,

you have to subtract ________.
A. Its mass number from its atomic number
B. Its atomic number from its mass number
C. Its mass number from its electron number
D. Its atomic number by its electron number
10. The identity of an element is determined by _____________.
A. The number of its protons
B. The number of its neutrons
C. Its atomic mass
D. The number of its electrons

11. Which of the three subatomic particles have the least contribution to
the overall mass of an atom?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
 12. Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1 and a mass number of 1. Which
is NOT true about hydrogen?
A. It has 1 proton
B. It has 1 electron
C. It has 1 neutron
D. It is electrically neutral

13. The element oxygen (O) has an atomic number of 8. How many number
of protons are there in an oxygen atom?
A. 8
B. 16
C. 32
D. 64

14. The element Neon (Ne) has an atomic number of 10. How many number
of Electrons are in a Neon atom?
A. 0
B. 5
C. 10
D. 15

15. The element Calcium has a mass number of 40 and an atomic number
of 20. What is its number of Neutron?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20

Atoms are the basic unit of matter. They are too small to see with our
naked eye or even with the use of an ordinary microscope. For centuries, it
was proven that atoms are composed of even smaller particles namely (1)
Proton, (2) Electrons, and (3) Neutrons. These are collectively referred to as
Subatomic Particles. Come and join me as we unfold the secrets behind
these Atoms!
 Jumpstart

Read and analyze the Short Story below and answer the Guide
Questions.

Without Us, You Will Not Be You!

By Mark Bigso

0 -

+
Atom

Once upon a time, there lived a young man named Atom. He had
everything a kid his age would want--happy family, good friends, and a
peaceful life. Though he is very silent to be recognized by many, he loves
sharing and giving what he has for others to complete their needs.

One day, while Atom is walking on the street, he met three old men
sitting at the corner. He talked to them and said, “I don’t think I know the
three of you but you guys must be hungry. Please come with me and have
something to eat.” The three old men replied, “we can’t walk. can you carry
us all three?”. But Atom responded in sadness that he can’t carry them. And
the three old men uttered, “Then we cannot come with you”. Suddenly, one
of the old men explained “that is Proton, the positive. He gives the chemical
characteristics of an element unique to other elements. His number is also
the same as the atomic number of an element” pointing to other old man. He
turned again to another friend and said, “That is Electron, the negative and
the lightest among us. He surrounds the nucleus where me and Proton live.
Electron is responsible in chemical in different chemical reactions. And I am
Neutron, the zero charge. I live with proton at the nucleus; We both make up
most of your mass. I am the heaviest among us.” After a while, Proton added,
“now make a wise decision of who you would like to carry” go home and
discuss it with your parents.

Atom rushed back home and discussed what happened with his
parents. His father said that he should choose Proton for the old man is a
positive and he might bring more luck to the family. His mother disagreed
and said that Atom should choose Electron for he is the lightest among them
all so Atom can carry easily the old man. And in his mind, atom is thinking
of choosing Neutron for he has no positive nor negative, he is just right to
carry.

The following morning, Atom went back to the street and saw again the
three old men sitting at the corner. He then asked for Neutron to come to him
and be his guest. As Neutron stand up, the other two also prepared their
selves to stand. To his surprise, Atom said, “I only invited Neutron, as you
directed. Why are you all coming?” The three old men replied together,
“whoever among us you had invited, the other two will always join. We made
you atom, for without us (Proton, Electron, and Neutron) you will not be you.
Then they all lived together as Proton, Electron, and Neutron live inside Atom.

Guide Questions:

1. Based on the Short story, who is atom?

2. In Science, what is an Atom?
3. What are the Three Subatomic Particles?
4. Which subatomic particle is the heaviest?
5. Which subatomic particle is the lightest?
6. Which subatomic particle(s) make up most of the mass of the atom?
Why?
7. What are the unique characteristics of a Proton, a Neutron, and an
Electron?
8. What are the roles of the Proton, Neutron, and Electron to an Atom?
 9.
Discover

1. Early Theories of the Atom

Long time ago, people thought that Atoms were hard, solid, and round
as marbles. Until Democritus (460-370 B.C.) thought and discussed about
atoms. He proposed that all matter is composed of tiny indivisible particles
called “Atomos” which means indivisible or indestructible. but his ideas were
not useful to explain chemical behaviors because he did not perform any
scientific experimentation. It was only after 2200 years when the relationship
between chemical changes in each atom were established. Greek Philosophers
Plato (427-347 B.C.) and Aristotle (384- 322 B.C.) contradicted the idea of
Democritus. They believed that there was no limit to the number of times
that matter can be subdivided; and that matter can be divided infinitely, with
each piece getting smaller and smaller.
In 1803, John Dalton (1766-1844) concluded that the properties of
matter could be explained in terms of atoms. His Atomic Theory explained
the existing laws and principles about the concept of chemical combination.
He is regarded as the “Father of Modern Atomic Theory” in recognition of his
contribution, the Atomic Theory, to the development of chemistry as a science.
His Theory states the following:
• All matter is made of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms
• All the atoms of a particular element are alike. The atoms of one
element are different from the atoms of another element. The
atoms of each element are unique.
• During chemical reactions, atoms are rearranged to form new
compound; however, atoms are not created, destroyed, nor
changed into atoms of other elements.
• Atoms of different elements combine with one another in certain
whole-number proportions to form compounds, such as when
one atom of oxygen is combined with two atoms of hydrogen to
form water.

Quick Check:
Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.
______1. Democritus came up with the idea that atoms were indestructible.
______2. Plato and Socrates agreed to the idea of Democritus.
______3. Atoms came from the Greek word Atomos which means Indivisible.
______4. Plato is considered as the “Father of Modern Atomic Theory”.
______5. Atoms can be divided into smaller particles with charges.
 2. Subatomic Particles of the Atom
With the discovery of the three subatomic particles, the Electron, the
Proton, and the Neutron, scientists were more confident of their ideas on the
structure of atoms. Though we know today that atoms are composed of many
other types of smaller particles, our study of chemistry will only require us to
focus on these three subatomic particles.

Electrons (e-)
Neutron (n0)
Nucleons
Proton (p+)

Figure 1. Diagram of an Atom

The Properties of the three subatomic Particles

Particle Net Mass (Kg) Mass (amu) Location
(Symbol) Charge
Proton (p+) +1 1.67 x 10 -27 1 In the
nucleus
Neutron ( n0) 0 1.67 x 10 -27 1 In the
nucleus
Electron (e-) -1 9.11 x 10 -31 1/1, 837 Outside
nucleus

Protons (p+)
Protons are the subatomic particles located in the nucleus of an atom.
It has a charge of positive one (+1). Different atoms have different numbers of
protons. Protons give the chemical characteristics of an element unique to
other elements. The number of Protons (p+) is the Atomic Number (Z) of an
element. In symbols,
p+ = Z.
Aluminum, the basic material of many cooking utensils, has 13
protons. Its atomic number is therefore, 13. Gold, the main element of gold
jewelries has 79 protons. Its atomic number is therefore, 79.

Neutrons (n0)
Neutrons are the other subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an
atom. They have no net electric charges (0). The mass of the neutron is
slightly larger than that of proton. Neutron and Proton are collectively called
Nucleons. Neutrons bind with protons with nuclear force. The number of
neutrons determine the isotope of an element. To get the number of neutrons,
you need to subtract the mass number to protons. In symbols,
n0 = A - p+
 Isotopes are elements that have the same Atomic Number but different
Neutron Numbers. Take for example, carbon-12 isotope. It has 6 protons
and 6 neutrons. Carbon-14 isotope has 6 protons and 8 neutrons. Isotopes
of the same atom have the same chemical characteristics. They produce the
same product when reacting with another atom. they only differ when the
change happens in the nucleus called nuclear reaction.

Electrons (e-)
Electrons are the subatomic particles surrounding the nucleus of an
atom. They are also light compared with the protons and neutrons. An
Electron has a charge of negative one (-1). The number of electrons in an
atom is equal to the number of protons. That is why an atom is electrically
neutral. In symbols,

p+ = e –

Electrons are the subatomic particles responsible in chemical reaction.

They occupy energy levels and are arranged outside the nucleus. Each level
can hold a maximum number of electrons. The level nearest the nucleus can
hold a maximum of 2 electrons. The second and third levels can hold a
maximum of 8 electrons. The fourth level can hold 18 electrons. The nearer
the electron is to the nucleus, the lower is its energy level. The electrons
farthest from the center have the highest energy level.

3. Atomic Number (Z) and Mass Number (A)

The Atomic Number refers to the number of Protons in an Atom. It is

represented by the symbol “Z”. Atomic Number also determines the number
of Electrons in an atom since Atoms are electrically neutral. Nitrogen for
example has an Atomic Number of 7 (Z Nitrogen = 7), which mean Nitrogen
contains 7 protons and 7 electrons. Always remember that Atomic Number is
equal to the number of protons and number of electrons. In symbols,

Z = p+ = e-
The Mass Number of an atom is the total number of Protons and
neutrons collectively known as Nucleons. It is represented by the symbol “A”.
the Electrons are not included in determining the mass number since it is
very light and negligible. Mathematically, the Mass Number is denoted by the
following equation:
A= p+ + n0

For example, The atom of Nitrogen contains 7 protons, 7 electrons, and

7 neutrons. In total, the mass number of this Nitrogen is 14.
 4. Representing the elements with the Atomic Number and
the Mass Number
Atomic number and Mass number of an Atom can be used to represent
the symbol of its element. Such a representation is shown below:

A
X
Mass Number
Atomic Symbol
Atomic Number Z

14
For example, Nitrogen can be represented by 𝑁. Carbon Atom can be
7
12 16
represented by 𝐶 and Oxygen can be represented by 𝑂. Often, you can
6 8
represent elements using the mass number only; for example, N-14, C-12, 1H.

Explore

1. Determine the number of Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons of the

following Atoms:

82
A. 𝐵𝑟
35
7
B. 𝐿𝑖
3

58
C. 𝐹𝑒
26

2. Given the elements below, complete the table by determining the

number of Protons, Electrons, Neutrons, Mass Number, and Atomic
Number.

4 80 122 11 59
A.) 𝐻𝑒 B.) 𝐵𝑟 C.) 𝑆𝑏 D.) 𝐵 E.) 𝐶𝑜
2 35 51 5 27

Element Mass Atomic Number Number Number

Number Number of of of
Protons Electrons Neutrons
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
 Deepen

Atoms by the Numbers

Objectives:
1. Locate the atomic number in the periodic table
2. Identify the subatomic particles associated with the mass number
3. Interpret the numbers in an element’s chemical symbol
4. Write the chemical symbol of an element using the mass number
and atomic number
Materials:
Paper, pen, Periodic Table of Elements (Refer to the Annex 1 of your
module)
Procedure:
Use your periodic table in answering the questions provided
Questions:
1. What is the element with an atomic number of 18? _______________
2. How many protons does element 18 have? ________________
3. How many protons are there in an atom of Fluorine(F)? __________
4. What element has the least number of protons in its atom? __________
5. An atom of potassium contains 19 protons, 20 neutrons, and 19
electrons. Its mass is 39. Based on what you have learned so far,
which of the subatomic particles determine the mass number of an
atom? why?
23
6. 𝑁𝑎 is the chemical symbol for the element Sodium. The subscript
11
on the left denotes the atomic number, whereas the superscript
identifies the mass number.
a. How many protons are there in an atom of Sodium? __________
b. How many neutrons are there in this atom of Sodium? _________
c. How many electrons are there in this atom of Sodium? __________
7. Complete the table by supplying the correct quantity or number of
particles.

Element Mass Atomic Number Number Number

Number Number of of of
Protons Electrons Neutrons
Calcium 40 20
Iodine 127 53
Iron 56 26
Gold 79 118
Silver 108 47
Magnesium 24 12
Silver 28 14

8. Write the Chemical Symbol for Lithium, Calcium, Iodine, Uranium,

and Iron. Use the mass number and atomic number in writing the
symbols.
Annex 1. Use this Periodic Table for this module.

Atomic Number
Element Symbol

Mass Number

Source: https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_the-basics-of-general-organic-and-biological-
chemistry/s05-07-the-periodic-table.html
 Gauge

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a

separate sheet of paper.

1.What is the basic unit of matter and is considered as the smallest

unit of an element?
A. Atom
B. Electron
C. Neutron
D. Proton

For Numbers 2 and 3, refer to the following illustration/drawing below.

+0 B
C

2. Which part is a negatively charged particle?

A. Part A
B. Part B
C. Part C
D. Part A and Part B

3. Which part would determine the mass of an atom and is collectively

known as nucleus?
A.A only
B. A and B
C. B and C
D. C only

4. What are the three subatomic particles?

A. Proton, Neutron, and Hydrogen
B. Nucleus, Proton, and Neutron
C. Proton, Neutron, Electron
D. Proton, Ion, and Electron
5. Who developed the Atomic Theory of matter?
A. Antoine Lavoisier
B. John Dalton
C. Ernest Rutherford
D. Joseph Proust

6. Which statement about subatomic particles is TRUE?

A. Protons, Electrons, and Neutrons all have the same mass
B. An electron has less mass than either a proton or neutron
C. Unlike protons or neutrons, electrons have no mass
D. Neutrons have no charge and no mass

7. The mass number of the atom can be obtained by _________.

A. Adding the protons and the electrons
B. Adding the electrons and neutrons
C. Determining the number of protons only
D. Adding the number of protons and neutrons

8. The atomic number of an element is equal to _________.

A. The number of protons in an atom
B. The number of neutrons in an atom
C. The number of protons plus the number of electrons in the
atom
D. The number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the
atom
9. To determine the number of neutrons in the nucleus of a neutral
atom, you have to subtract ________.
A. Its mass number from its atomic number
B. Its atomic number from its mass number
C. Its mass number from its electron number
D. Its atomic number by its electron number
10. The identity of an element is determined by _____________.
A. The number of its protons
B. The number of its neutrons
C. Its atomic mass
D. The number of its electrons
11. Which of the three subatomic particles have the least contribution
to the overall mass of an atom?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
12. Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1 and a mass number of 1.
Which is NOT true about hydrogen?
A. It has 1 proton
B. It has 1 electron
C. It has 1 neutron
D. It is electrically neutral

13. The element oxygen (O) has an atomic number of 8. How many
number of protons are there in an oxygen atom?
A. 8
B. 16
C. 32
D. 64

14. The element Neon (Ne) has an atomic number of 10. How many
number of Electrons are in a Neon atom?
A. 0
B. 5
C. 10
D. 15

15. The element Calcium has a mass number of 40 and an atomic

number of 20. What is its number of Neutron?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20
Pre-Test Jumpstart Discover
1. A (Guide Questions) (Quick Check)
2. A 1. Answers may vary 1. True
3. C
2. Atoms are the basic unit of matter 2. False
4. C
5. B 3. Protons, electrons, neutrons 3. True
6. B 4. Neutron 4. False
7. D 5. Electron 5. True
8. A 6. Protons and Neutrons since the mass of Electron is
9. A almost negligible.
10. A 7. (Descriptions of Proton, Electron, and Neutron)
11. C 8. Answers may vary
12. C
13. A
14. C
15. D
Explore Gauge
1.A. B. C. 1. A
Protons= 35 Protons= 3 Protons= 26 2. A
Electrons= 35 Electrons= 3 Electrons= 26 3. C
Neutrons= 47 Neutrons= 4 Neutrons= 32 4. C
5. B
2. 6. B
Element Mass Atomic Number of Number of Number of 7. D
Number Number Protons Electrons Neutrons 8. A
A. He 4 2 2 2 2 9. A
10. A
B. Br 80 35 35 35 45
11. C
C. Sb 122 51 51 51 71
12. C
D. B 11 5 5 5 6
13. A
E. Co 59 27 27 27 32 14. C
15. D
Explore
1. ) Argon 2.) 18 3.) 9 4.) Hydrogen/H
5. Proton and Neutron since the mass of Electron is almost negligible.
6. A. ) 11 B. 12 C. 11
7.
Element Mass Atomic Number Number Number
Number Number of of of
Protons Electrons Neutrons
Calcium 40 20 20 20 20
Iodine 127 53 53 53 74
Iron 56 26 26 26 30
Gold 197 79 79 79 118
Silver 108 47 47 47 61
Magnesium 24 12 12 12 12
Silver 28 14 14 14 14
Key Answer
 References
Books
Estrella E. Mendoza, Chemistry Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House,
Inc.,2003, 57-75

Delfin C. Angeles, Lieza M. Crisostomo, Darwin T. Quinsaat, Salina B. Toledo,

Science Vistas 8 Makati City: Don Bosco Press, Inc., 2013, 261-276

Anne Brigitte U. Lim, Marville Alaste-Dizon, Jomar Aries T. Laurente, Ryan

John G. Garcia, Science for the 21st Century Learner 8 Makati City:
DIWA LEARNING SYSTEM INC, 2015, 286-317

Pia C. Campo, et. Al. Science Learner’s Module 8 Pasig City: Department of
Education, 2013, 191-205