Classroom Resources: Atomic Structure
1 – 25 of 40 Classroom Resources
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Physical Properties, Introduction, History, Periodic Table, Valence Electrons, Chemical Properties, Electrons | High School, Middle 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 | High School, Middle 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 | High School, Middle 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, 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, 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
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 | High School, Middle 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 | High School, Middle 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 | High School, Middle School, Elementary 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 | High School, Middle School, Elementary 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 | High School, Elementary School, Middle 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).
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Review, Model of the Atom, Isotopes, Balancing Equations, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Electrons, Ions | Middle School, High School
Activity: Tic-Tac-Toe Review
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.