What is an Atom?

All the matter in the universe is made of tiny particles called atoms. There are 92
different kinds of atoms in nature. These 92 different atoms combine with one
another to form different kinds of matter that we see in nature.
Gold, for example, is made of only gold atoms. When matter is made of only one
kind of atom, it is called an element. In the same way, silver is another element
which is made of only silver atoms. Because there are 92 different kinds of atoms
in nature, there are 92 different kinds of elements. Other examples of an atom are
K (potassium) and Fe (iron)

What are Elements?

 The element is the fundamental substance that consists of only one type of atom.
Elements consist of smaller particles and can be man-made or synthetic. Their
arrangement in the periodic table is based on the number of protons in an
increasing order. The atomic number of an element is indicated by Z. When
atoms are arranged differently in an element having the same number of protons,
you get different forms of an element. For example, both graphite and diamond
are elements of carbon but they look very different from each other.
 What is a Molecule?
A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound and it exhibits the same
chemical properties of that specific compound. As molecules are made up of
atoms jointly held by chemical bonds, they can vary greatly in terms of
complexity and size. The oxygen we breathe has a molecular formula O2.
Should we consider this as an element or compound? When two or more atoms
of the same elements combine together, we call them Molecules. So, we call O2
as an oxygen molecule. In the same way, we find hydrogen molecules H2,
chlorine molecules Cl2 and others in nature.
 What is a Compound?
The chemical formula of water is H2O. Observe that, water is made of two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Here, two different elements, hydrogen
and oxygen combine, giving rise to a new substance called water. Such
substances, which are made by the combination of two or more kinds of
elements are called Compounds. The atoms in a compound are chemically
bonded and hence cannot be separated easily. Similarly, the chemical formula of
carbon dioxide is CO2 and it is made up of two elements, carbon, and oxygen.
Some other examples of compounds are table salt (NaCl), chalk (CaCO3)and
water (H2O).
 What is a Mixture?
The mixture is a substance made by the physical combination of two or more
different elements or compounds. A mixture does not involve any chemical
reaction. So, if you mix the magnetized powder with sand, you get a mixture that
can be separated physically by means of a magnet. It can be composed of solids,
liquids or gases and can be classified into 6 different categories – homogenous,
heterogeneous, solutions, alloys, suspensions, and colloids.
 An evenly distributed mixture of water and ethanoic acid is called vinegar and
can be termed as a homogenous mixture. When two or more substances are not
evenly distributed in a mixture, like a blend of oil and water, the mixture is
called heterogeneous. When salt is dissolved in water, you get a solution and
when you combine two heterogeneous fluids containing solid particles that settle
at the bottom, you get suspensions. Colloids are formed when one substance in a
heterogeneous mixture is evenly dispersed throughout the other substance,
example milk. Alloys are mixtures of one or more metals in a solid solution.
Bronze, steel, and brass are common examples of alloys.
Types of Rocks
Rocks are not all the same!
The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic,
and igneous and the differences among them have to do with how they are formed.

Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other
fragments of material. Together, all these particles are called sediment. Gradually,
the sediment accumulates in layers and over a long period of time hardens into
rock. Generally, sedimentary rock is fairly soft and may break apart or crumble
easily. You can often see sand, pebbles, or stones in the rock, and it is usually the
only type that contains fossils.

Examples of this rock type include conglomerate and limestone.

Metamorphic
Metamorphic rocks are formed under the surface of the earth from the
metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing).
The rocks that result from these processes often have ribbonlike layers and may
have shiny crystals, formed by minerals growing slowly over time, on their
surface.

Examples of this rock type include gneiss and marble.

Igneous
Igneous rocks are formed when magma (molten rock deep within the earth) cools
and hardens. Sometimes the magma cools inside the earth, and other times it erupts
onto the surface from volcanoes (in this case, it is called lava). When lava cools
very quickly, no crystals form and the rock looks shiny and glasslike. Sometimes
gas bubbles are trapped in the rock during the cooling process, leaving tiny holes
and spaces in the rock.

Examples of this rock type include basalt and obsidian.