Lesson 2: Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

Objectives:  Students will...
state the location, charge, and mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
determine the number of protons, neutrons, electrons, mass number, and charge of an atom or ion.
interpret or construct an atomic symbol to describe an atom or ion.
use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of an atom or ion, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge.

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation
Part 1: Atom Screen

Directions: Click on the 'Atom' Screen in the simulation below.  Answer questions 1-6.

If you'd like to have the simulation open in another screen while you work, click here: PhET Build an Atom Sim

1

Take three minutes to interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have about the simulation.

1

Which subatomic particle determines an atom's identity?

1

Determine the charge, mass, and location of each subatomic particle in the atom.

mass number = 0
Negative (-) charge
in the nucleus (center)
Positive (+) charge
in the orbits (orbitals)
Neutral (0) charge
mass number = 1

proton
neutron
electron

1

Which of the following best describes how to calculate the mass number of an atom?

1

Which of the following best explains what an ion is?

1

Complete the table

An explanation video will be uploaded soon. :) Sorry for the delay. 

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation
Part 2: Symbol Screen

Directions:  Click on the 'Symbol' screen at the bottom of the simulation, then answer questions 11-12.

If you'd like to have the simulation open in another screen while you work, click here: PhET Build an Atom Sim

1

Click on the Symbol screen and interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have from the 'Symbol' screen.

1

Let's figure out the important parts of an atomic symbol.

Using the symbol above, identify:
how the value of each letter is determined
what the letter represents.

represents: charge
represents: element symbol
represents: atomic number
represents: mass number
determined by: (# of protons) + (# of neutrons)
determined by: (# of protons) - (# of electrons)
determined by: # of protons

a
b
c
d

An explanation video will be uploaded soon. :) Sorry for the delay.

1

Part 3: Game Screen

The moment you've been waiting for! Click on the 'Game' Screen at the bottom of the simulation. Spend some time playing each of the four games.

Add your score for each game to the picture below.

1

Match the sentences below with the words that best go in the blanks.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The center part of an atom is called the ____.		atoms
A nucleus is made up of neutrons and ____.		nucleus
All matter is composed of tiny particles called ____.		protons
Elecrons are found ____ the nucleus.		outside of
There is mostly ____ between electrons.		empty space
Protons and neutrons are ____ than electrons.		more massive

Use the periodic table below to answer questions 13-15.  Note: the number above each element symbol is the element's atomic number.

1

A calcium (Ca) atom has a mass number of 42. How many neutrons are in the atom?

1

An oxygen ion with a charge of -2 has eight electrons.

1

Match the following atom/ion descriptions with the element

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
An atom with 24 neutrons and a mass number of 50		Tc (Technetium)
At atom with 23 protons and a mass number of 43		Fe (Iron)
An atom with 36 protons and 36 electrons		Br (Bromine)
An atom with a neutral charge and 24 electrons		V (Vanadium)
An atom with 43 protons		Cr (Chromium)
An ion with 36 electrons and a charge of -1		Kr (Krypton)

1

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below. Assume all atoms are neutrally charged (i.e., they are not ions!)

1

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 16? Match your answers below!

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Blue		53
Purple		20
Green		13
Orange		64
Pink		5

1

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below.

1

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 18? Match your answers below!

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Blue		10
Orange		11
Pink		+3
Purple		36
Green		+1

Lesson 2: Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation

Take three minutes to interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have about the simulation.

Which subatomic particle determines an atom's identity?

Determine the charge, mass, and location of each subatomic particle in the atom.

Which of the following best describes how to calculate the mass number of an atom?

Which of the following best explains what an ion is?

Complete the table

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation

Click on the Symbol screen and interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have from the 'Symbol' screen.

Let's figure out the important parts of an atomic symbol. Using the symbol above, identify:how the value of each letter is determinedwhat the letter represents.

Part 3: Game ScreenThe moment you've been waiting for! Click on the 'Game' Screen at the bottom of the simulation. Spend some time playing each of the four games.Add your score for each game to the picture below.

Match the sentences below with the words that best go in the blanks.

A calcium (Ca) atom has a mass number of 42. How many neutrons are in the atom?

An oxygen ion with a charge of -2 has eight electrons.

Match the following atom/ion descriptions with the element

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below. Assume all atoms are neutrally charged (i.e., they are not ions!)

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 16? Match your answers below!

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below.

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 18? Match your answers below!

Atomic Structure

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation

Take three minutes to interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have about the simulation.

Which subatomic particle determines an atom's identity?

Determine the charge, mass, and location of each subatomic particle in the atom.

Which of the following best describes how to calculate the mass number of an atom?

Which of the following best explains what an ion is?

Complete the table

Build an Atom - PhET Simulation

Click on the Symbol screen and interact with the simulation. Write three observations you have from the 'Symbol' screen.

Let's figure out the important parts of an atomic symbol. Using the symbol above, identify:how the value of each letter is determinedwhat the letter represents.

Part 3: Game ScreenThe moment you've been waiting for! Click on the 'Game' Screen at the bottom of the simulation. Spend some time playing each of the four games.Add your score for each game to the picture below.

Match the sentences below with the words that best go in the blanks.

A calcium (Ca) atom has a mass number of 42. How many neutrons are in the atom?

An oxygen ion with a charge of -2 has eight electrons.

Match the following atom/ion descriptions with the element

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below. Assume all atoms are neutrally charged (i.e., they are not ions!)

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 16? Match your answers below!

Use the periodic table to fill out the table below.

What numbers did you write in the colored boxes in question 18? Match your answers below!

Let's figure out the important parts of an atomic symbol.

Using the symbol above, identify:
how the value of each letter is determined
what the letter represents.

Part 3: Game Screen

The moment you've been waiting for! Click on the 'Game' Screen at the bottom of the simulation. Spend some time playing each of the four games.

Add your score for each game to the picture below.

Let's figure out the important parts of an atomic symbol.

Using the symbol above, identify:
how the value of each letter is determined
what the letter represents.

Part 3: Game Screen

The moment you've been waiting for! Click on the 'Game' Screen at the bottom of the simulation. Spend some time playing each of the four games.

Add your score for each game to the picture below.