Classroom Resources: Atomic Structure
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1 – 25 of 32 Classroom Resources
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Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory | Middle School, High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Building Blocks of Matter Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the idea that everything is made of atoms, and that since atoms are so extremely small, even small objects contain vast numbers of atoms. They will see several examples to illustrate this point. Then they will be given a brief overview of the evolution of how people thought about atoms from the ancient Greeks through Dalton.
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Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Atomic Mass, Isotopes, Periodic Table, Elements | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Acting Out Atomic Structure Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will model the location and behavior of protons, neutrons, and electrons that make up the structure of atoms, focusing on the first 18 elements on the periodic table. Students will model different elements first by adding protons and neutrons (colored balls) to make the nucleus (a basket). Then, the students themselves will represent the electrons that are always moving around the nucleus yet remaining within their designated energy level. This activity is easiest to complete outside or in a large open room to allow for enough room.
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Electron Transfer, Electrons, Electricity, Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Observations | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Understanding Static Electricity Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will complete a series of activities to explore how the imbalance of charges in materials creates static electricity and how those materials interact with others around them. They will describe the relationship between atomic structure, specifically the role of protons and electrons, and static electricity.
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Atomic Radius, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, History, Inferences | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Indirectly Measuring the Atom Mark as Favorite (20 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will try to determine the radius of one circle and the total area of multiple circles on a piece of paper by indirect measurement. They will relate this to the experiment done by Ernest Rutherford in which he bombarded a gold foil with Alpha particles.
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Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Radius, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Electron Configuration, Orbitals , Isotopes, Atomic Mass | High School, Middle School
Activity: Ptable.com Investigations Mark as Favorite (163 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use the online periodic table found at www.ptable.com to investigate a number of chemistry concepts. Students will use this online resource to explore information about the elements, including historical data, physical properties, periodic trends and more.
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Bohr Model, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles | Middle School
Project: Modeling the Bohr Model Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this project, students will research the properties and uses of an element as well as create a 3-dimensional physical Bohr model of the element. Then students will create a video recording of themselves sharing the details of their model as well as required research findings.
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Review, Subatomic Particles, Ions, Isotopes, Electrons, Atomic Mass, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Model of the Atom, Balancing Equations | High School, Middle School
Activity: Tic-Tac-Toe Review Mark as Favorite (42 Favorites)
In this activity students collaborate to complete tic-tac-toe review questions to prepare for a test on the atomic structure unit. The idea behind the activity is to give students choice and you can read more about the inspiration for the activity in the May issue of Chemistry Solutions.
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Atomic Theory, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Ernest Rutherford Video Questions Mark as Favorite (23 Favorites)
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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Radioactive Isotopes, Radiation, Half Lives, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Marie Curie Video Questions Mark as Favorite (25 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a short video and learn about Marie Curie, her Nobel Prizes, radiation experiments, and discovery of new elements.
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Atomic Theory, Orbitals , Electrons, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Neils Bohr Video Questions Mark as Favorite (30 Favorites)
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about Niels Bohr and learn how he redefined thinking about the atom and the electron. His model of the atom advanced our understanding of subatomic particles and holds an important place in the history and development of atomic theory.
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Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Atomic Mass, Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Mendeleev Video Questions Mark as Favorite (36 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about Dimitri Mendeleev. They will learn about his contribution to chemistry, including his organization of the periodic table and awareness to leave gaps for elements that weren’t yet discovered.
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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 Mark as Favorite (74 Favorites)
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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Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory | Middle School, High School
Lab: Investigating the Sizes of Atomic Particles Mark as Favorite (63 Favorites)
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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Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Elements, Atomic Mass, Electrons, Atoms | Middle School
Activity: Augmented Reality and the Atomic Model Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this project, students will first work with a partner to select a common element from the periodic table to research. They will create a video using iPods to present their research and they will access the Aurasma app on iPods to upload their video. Students will create a trigger image using a picture of the element from the periodic table. Secondly, the students will use the Aurasma App to scan a different element’s trigger image and will use information from another group’s video to construct a model that replicates the atomic structure for the selected element.
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Elements, Periodic Table, Interdisciplinary, History, Atoms, Model of the Atom | Middle School, High School
Project: Element Baby Book Mark as Favorite (41 Favorites)
In this activity, students will “adopt” an element and create a baby book about their “new baby” while they research and learn about the element.
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Elements, Model of the Atom, History, Introduction, Matter, Observations, Periodic Table, Culminating Project, Atoms | Middle School, High School
Activity: Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words? Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this activity, students will learn about early chemistry discoveries through a textbook reading as well as from a cartoon.
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Elements, Model of the Atom, Periodic Table, Introduction, Atoms, Electrons | Middle School, High School
Activity: Periodic Puzzler Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this activity, students will learn about what makes up an atom and how important protons are in the placement of elements on the periodic table.
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Atoms, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, Matter, Elements, History, Introduction, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School
Animation: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter Animation Mark as Favorite (31 Favorites)
This animation explores the idea that everything is made of atoms, and that since atoms are so extremely small, even small objects contain vast numbers of atoms. Students will see several examples to illustrate this point. Then they will be given a brief overview of the evolution of how people thought about atoms from the ancient Greeks through Dalton. This animation was featured in the May 2022 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**
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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 Mark as Favorite (70 Favorites)
This animation explores patterns in atomic and ionic radii. Students will look at the different sizes of atoms in the third period and the atoms in the sixth group to see trends across periods and down groups. They will also look at an atom and its corresponding cation as well as an atom and its corresponding anion. **This video has no audio**
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Periodic Table, Elements, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom | Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: Element Brochure Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will research a common element from the periodic table and create a brochure about it. Students will include information about its atomic structure, subatomic particles, Bohr model, chemical symbol, and common uses.
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Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Ions, Isotopes, Atoms, Atomic Mass | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Building an Atom Mark as Favorite (114 Favorites)
In this simulation, students manipulate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an element and determine how these effect the mass number, atomic number, and other properties of an atom.
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Periodic Table, Review, Elements, Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Atomic Mass | Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: Periodic Table Challenge Game Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this activity, students will play an online game that quizzes their knowledge about the atomic structure of the first 20 elements on the periodic table. Students will be asked to identify different elements based on information related to subatomic particles, placement on the periodic table or from a provided Bohr model. This game has several options for students to choose from, and can be used to review content, or as a formative assessment.
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Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Lewis Structures, Model of the Atom, Valence Electrons | Middle School, High School
Activity: Chemists in the Lab Game Mark as Favorite (55 Favorites)
In this activity, students will play a game that is modeled after Settlers of Catan to explore how atoms of certain elements combine in fixed ratios to form molecules.
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Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Electron Configuration, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School
Project: Atomic Holiday Ornaments Mark as Favorite (41 Favorites)
In this project, students will design an atomic holiday ornament for a chosen element, along with a certificate of authenticity to display on a “Chemis-tree”. Students will also have the opportunity to vote on the ornaments created by their classmates.
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Subatomic Particles, Model of the Atom, Elements, Molecular Formula | Middle School, Elementary School
Project: What's It Made Of? Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this project each student will conduct research to discover what compounds, molecules, and elements make up a basic everyday object of their choice. The student will create a poster detailing what the object is made of, including a Bohr model. The student will also create a question about their object’s atomic structure for their peers as part of a culminating project gallery walk to observe, discuss, and learn about each poster.