Classroom Resources: Atomic Structure
51 – 75 of 110 Classroom Resources
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Atomic Theory, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Ernest Rutherford Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video about Ernest Rutherford. They will learn about his great contributions to chemistry, including his study of alpha particles and his use of the gold foil experiment. They will also find out that he won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his studies on radioactive substances.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Atomic Spectra, Electrons | High School
Demonstration: Flame Test (Rainbow Demo)
In this demonstration, students will observe the variety of colors produced when different metals or metallic salts are heated in a flame.
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Isotopes, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles | Middle School, High School
Activity: Candy Isotopes & Atomic Mass
In this activity, students will learn about isotopes and be introduced to basic average atomic mass calculations. They will use simple numbers and M&M candies to model ratios that approximate real world atomic mass values on the periodic table.
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Covalent Bonding, Lewis Structures, VSEPR Theory, Electronegativity, Polarity, Atomic Radius, Valence Electrons | High School
Project: Molecular Modeling
In this project, students will research a molecule selected from the teacher approved list, construct a three-dimensional model of the molecule, and present their research to the class in a 7-10 minute oral presentation.
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Electron Configuration, Precipitate, Balancing Equations, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Solubility Rules, Classification of Reactions | High School
Lesson Plan: Transition Metals Color the World
In this lesson students will complete a series of double replacement reactions to form precipitates. The precipitates will be used as a pigment to create paint.
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Radioactive Isotopes, Atomic Theory, History, Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Radiation, Subatomic Particles | Middle School, High School
Activity: Lise Meitner Video Questions
In this activity, students will complete a short series of questions as they watch the Founders of Chemistry video about Lise Meitner. The video tells the story of Lise Meitner, a pioneering female scientist in the field of nuclear chemistry, who was denied a Nobel Prize but has an Element named in her honor.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electrons | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Let it Glow
In this lesson students will investigate the fluorescence of a variety of everyday items as well as prepared samples under a black light. Students will examine the concepts of absorption and subsequent emission of photons, as well as wavelength, frequency, and energy of electromagnetic radiation. As extension activities, students will learn about phosphorescence and research real-life applications of photoluminescence.
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Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Radiation, Radioactive Isotopes, Atomic Theory, Atoms, History | Middle School, High School
Video: Lise Meitner Video
This video tells the story of Lise Meitner, a pioneering female scientist in the field of nuclear chemistry, who was denied a Nobel Prize but has an Element named in her honor.
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Periodic Table, Elements, History, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding | Middle School, High School
Project: Exploring Elements
In this project, students will select an element and then use Ptable.com to explore aspects of the element including its periodicity, electron configuration, history, and uses in industry.
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Metallic Bonding, Electrons, Electricity, Electrostatic Forces | High School
Demonstration: Metallic Bonding & Magnetics
In this demonstration students will observe how electrons flow through a metal in an example of metallic bonding. Using tubes made of different metal materials as well as one made of plastic, in combination with a rare earth magnet (neodymium magnet) the teacher will demonstrate how electrons will flow freely through a metal and create a magnetic field.
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Isotopes, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles | High School, Middle School
Simulation: Isotopes & Calculating Average Atomic Mass
In the May 2017 simulation, students first learn how the average atomic mass is determined through a tutorial based on the isotope abundance for Carbon. Students will then interact within a workspace where they will select the number of isotopes, the mass of each isotope as well as their abundancies in order to successfully build a mystery element. Finally they will use their choices to calculate the average atomic mass of the mystery element.
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Isotopes, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles | Middle School, High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Isotopes & Calculating Average Atomic Mass
In this simulation, students first learn how the average atomic mass is determined through a tutorial based on the isotope abundance for Carbon. Students will then interact within a workspace where they will select the number of isotopes, the mass of each isotope as well as their abundancies in order to successfully build a mystery element. Finally they will use their choices to calculate the average atomic mass of the mystery element.
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Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Mass, Electrons | Middle School, High School
Project: Element Project
In this project, students will become familiar with and have a workable understanding of atomic structure. The students will also create and construct a model of an atom.
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Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, History | High School
Project: The Scientists Behind the Atom
In this project, students will create a digital (or paper) book about the scientists who contributed to our understanding of the atom.
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Electron Configuration, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Periodic Table, Orbitals | High School
Activity: Electron Configuration and the Periodic Table
In this activity, students will learn how the periodic table can be used to predict the electron configuration of an atom and, thus, better predict the reactivity of an atom.
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Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory | Middle School, High School
Lab: Investigating the Sizes of Atomic Particles
In this lab, students will use yarn and peas to compare the sizes of the three subatomic particles and will see that most of an atom is empty space.
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Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Spectral Detective
In this lab, students will use a spectroscope to view the atomic spectra of various unknown elements. Using their collected data in combination with known atomic spectra, they will identify the chemical elements.
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Atomic Theory, Electrons, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, History | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Niels Bohr Video
This video tells the story of Niels Bohr, a great scientist who redefined how we think about atoms and the electron. Bohr’s model of the atom helped to advance understanding of subatomic particles, and holds an important place in the history and development of the atomic theory.
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Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Mass, Valence Electrons, Atoms, Periodic Table, Elements | Middle School, High School
Activity: Mystery Elements
The students will work in cooperative groups to construct Bohr models of "mystery" elements and record missing information about each element. Students will also create a new "mystery" element card for a classmate to analyze and determine its identity.
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Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Ions | High School, Middle School
Lab: Sweet Model of the Atom
In this lesson, students will use different candies to represent electrons, protons, and neutrons to gain a better understanding of atoms, ions, and isotopes.
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Periodic Table, Orbitals , Electrons, Electron Configuration, Atomic Radius, Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding | High School
Activity: Planet P-10
In this activity, students will create a periodic table using the unusual orbital rules elements follow on an imaginary planet called P-10 and identify periodic trends.
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Atomic Radius, Ionic Radius, Electrons, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Animation: Atomic & Ionic Radii Animation
In this animation, students will have an opportunity to visualize atomic and ionic radii. They will look at the different sizes of atoms in the third period and the atoms in the sixth group. They will also look at an atom and its cation as well as an atom and its anion. **This video has no audio**
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Model of the Atom, Electrons, Electron Configuration, Quantum Numbers, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table | High School
Animation: Orbitals Animation
In this animation, students will visualize how orbitals are superimposed upon one another within an atom, in three dimensions. The orbitals depicted in this animation are 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, and 3d. **This video has no audio**
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Radioactive Isotopes, History, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory | Middle School, High School
Video: Ernest Rutherford Video
Rutherford's initial research was studying alpha particles, which he hypothesized were helium nuclei. With the help of Hans Geiger, Rutherford conducted the gold foil experiment, which justifies that the nucleus of an atom is a dense collection of protons and contains the majority of an atom’s mass. It also inferred that most of the atom is empty space and electrons are not located in the nucleus. He won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1908 for his studies on radioactive substances.
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Atomic Mass, Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Periodic Table, History | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Dimitri Mendeleev Video
This video tells the story of how Dimitri Mendeleev organized the periodic table, even leaving gaps to be filled in with elements that weren't yet discovered.