Week 2 - Chemistry: Explain

Clarifying Atoms, Elements, and Molecules

As you saw in the last activity for this module, Bio 40A students have a wide range of ideas of what water looks like!  While there are certainly many different "correct" ways to draw water, we would like to narrow down our ideas and be able to create scientifically supported diagrams.  Perhaps we can begin by agreeing that each water molecule is composed of atoms.  Click here

Links to an external site. to review the "Elements and Atoms" section of our book.  As you read, be sure to clarify your thoughts regarding following questions related to water (and eventually related to the other topics we will study!).

• What exactly is an atom vs. an element vs. a molecule?
• What types of atoms, and how many of each, make up water?
• Which of those atoms are bigger vs. smaller, and why?
• Why do the atoms in a water molecule interact and partner with one another?