Classroom Resources: Atomic Structure

1 – 25 of 41 Classroom Resources

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  Atomic Spectra, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Electrons | High School

  Lesson Plan: Atomic Spectra for At-Home Learning

  In this lesson, students first observe a flame test demonstration conducted by their teacher, and hypothesize about the identity of an unknown sample. Then they make connections in their understanding as they are tasked with building a prism, researching about wavelengths, and creating a model of electron energy levels.

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  Physical Properties, Introduction, History, Periodic Table, Valence Electrons, Chemical Properties, Electrons | Middle School, High School

  Activity: How the Periodic Table Organizes the Elements Video Questions

  In this lesson, students will watch a video and answer questions about the organization of the periodic table. They will learn about how the elements on the periodic table are organized and what their location on the table can tell us about them.

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  Introduction, Elements, History, Review, Atoms, Isotopes, Alpha/Beta/Gamma Decay, Subatomic Particles, Radioactive Isotopes, Electrons | Middle School, High School

  Activity: What are Isotopes? Video Questions

  In this lesson, students will watch a video and answer questions about isotopes. They will learn about the discovery of isotopes, the difference between chemical and nuclear reactions, different kinds of radioactive decay, and some uses of radioactive isotopes.

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  Electron Configuration, Electrons, Orbitals | High School

  Activity: Electrons and Orbitals

  In this lesson, students will differentiate between energy levels, sublevels, orbitals, and electrons. Students often confuse these terms related to electrons and this activity should help them develop a stronger understanding of how to distinguish between them.

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  Electrostatic Forces, Emission Spectrum, Electrons | High School

  Lesson Plan: Introduction to PES

  In this lesson students will learn how to interpret simple photoelectron spectroscopy spectra by incorporating their knowledge of electron configurations, periodic trends, and Coulomb’s law.

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  Atomic Spectra, Model of the Atom, Isotopes, Atomic Theory, Subatomic Particles, Emission Spectrum, Electrons, Orbitals , Ions | High School

  Lesson Plan: Atomic Structure Unit Plan

  The AACT high school classroom resource library has everything you need to put together a unit plan for your classroom: lessons, activities, labs, projects, videos, simulations, and animations. We constructed a unit plan using AACT resources that is designed to teach Atomic Structure to your students.

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  Electrons | High School

  Lab: Determination of the Activation Energy of a Lightstick

  In this lesson students will participate in an inquiry-based lab approach to determine the activation energy of the chemiluminescent reaction in a lightstick. Students will use the Vernier LabQuest to collect data related to light and temperature for analysis using the Arrhenius equation.

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  Electrostatic Forces, Subatomic Particles, Ionization Energy, Electrons | High School

  Lesson Plan: Coulomb's Law

  In this lesson students explore qualitative applications of Coulomb’s law within atoms and between ions and solvents.

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  History, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Orbitals | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Neils Bohr Video Questions

  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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  Atomic Spectra, Identifying an Unknown, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Electrons | High School

  Lab: The Case of the Contaminated Well

  In this lab, students will observe the colors produced when different metal salt solutions are heated in a flame. Students will take on the role of a forensic investigator and use their results to help them determine if collected evidence was contaminated.

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  Atomic Spectra, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Electrons | High School

  Lab: Mystical Fire Investigation

  In this lab, students will create several testable questions based upon their observations of a mystical fire. Students then direct their own laboratory experience as they safely investigate these testable questions through the use of multiple flame tests.

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  Atomic Spectra, Electromagnetic Spectrum, 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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  Precipitate, Electron Configuration, Valence Electrons, Balancing Equations, Classification of Reactions, Solubility Rules, Electrons | 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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  Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic 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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  Electricity, Electrostatic Forces, Metallic Bonding, Electrons | 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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  Model of the Atom, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles, 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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  Electricity, Electrons | Elementary School

  Lab: Making the Connection

  In this lab, students will learn about closed and open circuits. Students will use holiday lights, a battery, and foil to make a closed circuit.

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  Periodic Table, Electron Configuration, Valence Electrons, Electrons | High School

  Lesson Plan: Electron Configuration and the Periodic Table

  In this lesson, 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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  Introduction, Elements, History, Periodic Table, Atoms, Valence Electrons, Subatomic Particles, Electrons | Middle School

  Project: Elemental Art: A Visual Periodic Table

  In this activity students will research an assigned element of the Periodic Table and then create a poster that visually explains and expresses the element. The final posters can be arranged into a classroom Periodic Table.

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  History, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, Subatomic Particles, Electrons | 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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  Periodic Table, Model of the Atom, Valence Electrons, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Ions | Middle School, High 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, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Electron Configuration, Atomic Radius, Electrons, Orbitals | High School

  Activity: Planet P-10

  In this activity, students will create a periodic table using orbital rules from a planet called P-10 and identify periodic trends and bonding rules.

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  Periodic Table, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, Atomic Radius, Ionic Radius, Electrons | 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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  Periodic Table, Model of the Atom, Quantum Numbers, Electron Configuration, Subatomic Particles, Electrons | 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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  Introduction, Elements, History, Periodic Table, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Activity: Writing Your Name using Chemical Element Symbols

  In this activity, students will use their creativity to spell their name (first or middle name and their last name) using chemical symbols of elements on the periodic table. For example, you can spell Yvonne using the symbols for yttrium (Y), vanadium (V), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and neon (Ne).