Atomic Theory WebQuest
Introduction
John Dalton as contacted you from beyond the grave! He always wondered how his
modern atomic theory worked out for the world. Mr. Dalton started as a curious
young schoolteacher that revolutionized how the world thought about
matter. Unfortunately, he died before he could see how his theory was modified
and what is still currently believed.
Task
You will write a letter to Mr. John Dalton, describing to him how his atomic theory was
modified after his first proposal. Fill out the attached journal as you research.
Process
Your letter must be addressed to Mr. John Dalton. The letter must discuss the following
scientists and their atomic models:
 John Dalton’s solid sphere
model
 JJ Thomson’s plum
pudding model
 Ernest
Rutherford’s nuclear model
 Niels Bohr’s planetary model
 Erwin Schrodinger’s (or Werner Heisenberg’s) Electron-cloud model
First, you must include a summary of his atomic theory so that you can discuss its
changes. Discuss the changes of the atomic models by including the following:
 Summary of each of the five models in chronological order (starting with
the first model)
 Illustration of each model
 Brief description of technology and experimental evidence used to
develop each model
 Prediction
of the next breakthrough in our understanding of atomic
structure
Additional WebSources
Below are more websites that can help you find the information needed to write
a letter to John Dalton.
Atomic Theory
www.nisd.net/communicationsarts/pages/ipc/ppt/atomtimeline_pres.ppt
http://www.fordhamprep.org/gcurran/sho/sho/lessons/lesson32.htm
Dalton
http://www.chemheritage.org/classroom/chemach/periodic/dalton.html
Thomson
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9072214/Thomson-atomic-model#285225.hook
Rutherford
http://www.chemheritage.org/classroom/chemach/atomic/rutherford.html
Bohr
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bpbohr.html
Schrodinger
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1933/schrodinger-bio.html
Evaluation
This letter must be written in your own words. Any plagiarism from a
resource or another student will result in a zero for all parties. See
the followingrubric for your grading scale.
Home Companion Notes Atoms & ions Dalton's atomic theory
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The law of fixed composition
Quiz: Dalton's Atomic Theory
grade
dalton
5
/chem/senese/10
498530
1. Which of the
following is not a postulate of Dalton's atomic theory?
atoms of a single element can have different masses
different elements have atoms of different masses
atoms combine in simple whole number ratios to form compounds
chemical change is a rearrangement of atoms
atoms are not created or destroyed in chemical change
2. Hydrogen combines with nitrogen in a 3:14 weight ratio to form ammonia. If every
molecule of ammonia contains three atoms of hydrogen and one atom of nitrogen, an atom
of nitrogen must weigh:
14 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
3/14 times the mass of a hydrogen
atom
14/3 times the mass of a hydrogen
atom
3 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
3. Hydrogen combines with oxygen in a 1:8 weight ratio to form water. If every molecule of
water contains two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, an atom of oxygen must
weigh:
8 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
16 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
1/16 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
1/8 times the mass of a hydrogen atom
4. Dalton based his relative atomic weight scale on:
carbon
helium
hydrogen
oxygen
lithium
5. Dalton viewed chemical change as:
a rearrangement of atoms
creation and destruction of atoms
a nuclear exchange
a transfer of protons
a transfer of electrons
a change of atoms from one type into another