Content Benchmark P.8.A.7
Students know the characteristics of protons, neutrons and electrons. E/S
1st Item Specification: Know the structure of the atom.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Which of the following are transferred or shared when two atoms react
chemically?
A. Electrons
B. Protons
C. Neutrons
D. Nucleons
2. Looking at a model of the atom, particles located within the nucleus that are
positively charged are called
A. electrons.
B. protons.
C. neutrons.
D. nucleons.
3. Looking at a model of the atom, particles located within the nucleus that have a
no charge are called
A. electrons.
B. protons.
C. neutrons.
D. nucleons.
4. Protons and neutrons together are known as
A. electrons.
B. protons.
C. neutrons.
D. nucleons.
5. The number of protons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of
A. ions.
B. isotopes.
C. electrons.
D. neutrons.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
6. Cobalt (atomic number 27) is necessary for growth and is present in vitamin B12.
The only naturally occurring isotope of the element cobalt has a mass number of
59. How many neutrons are in cobalt?
A. 86
B. 59
C. 32
D. 27
7. Calcium (atomic number 40) is an element needed for the development of bones
and teeth in humans. How many electrons does a neutral atom of calcium contain?
A. 0
B. 20
C. 40
D. 60
8. In an atom, which force holds the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus?
A. The gravitational force.
B. The electromagnetic force.
C. The strong force.
D. The weak force.
9. Below are four diagrams representing atoms. Use the diagrams below to answer
the following question.
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
.
Nucleus
Nucleus
Nucleus
Nucleus
Which of the following diagrams represents the size of the nucleus in comparison
to the size of the atom?
A. Figure A
B. Figure B
C. Figure C
D. Figure D
10. In the Bohr model of the atom, electrons are
A. located in the nucleus.
B. located in oval rings around the nucleus.
C. located in distinct orbitals around the nucleus.
D. located in a probability cloud around the nucleus.
2nd Item Specification: Know the electrical charges of electrons, protons, and
neutrons.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
11. The overall charge on an electron is
A. +1
B. +2
C. 0
D. -1
12. The overall charge on a neutron is
A. 0
B. +1
C. +2
D. +3
13. The overall charge on a proton is
A. -1
B. 0
C. +1
D. +2
14. The overall charge when one electron and one proton are present in an atom is
A. -1
B. 0
C. +1
D. +2
15. The overall charge when an atom contains one proton and one neutron is
A. -1
B. 0
C. +1
D. +2
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
16. Which of the following would most likely experience repulsion?
A. Two electrons coming into contact with each other.
B. Two neutrons coming into contact with each other.
C. A neutron and a proton coming into contact with each other.
D. A proton and an electron coming into contact with each other.
17. When a plastic rod is rubbed with fur, the plastic rod becomes negatively charged.
Which statement explains the charge transfer between the plastic rod and the fur?
A. Protons are transferred from the plastic rod to the fur.
B. Protons are transferred from the fur to the plastic rod.
C. Electrons are transferred from the plastic rod to the fur.
D. Electrons are transferred from the fur to the plastic rod.
18. The overall charge on an atom with 2 electrons, 3 protons, and 3 neutrons is
A. -1
B. 0
C. +1
D. +2
19. Use the image below to answer the following question.
Pith Balls
(From http://www.phys.unt.edu/~klittler/demo_room/e&m_demos/5a20_20.html)
If the two pith balls both have negative charges, the pith balls will
A. attract each other, but remain apart.
B. attract each other and stick together.
C. repel each other and stay apart.
D. neither repel or attract.
20. Use the image below to answer the following question.
Pith Balls
(From http://www.phys.unt.edu/~klittler/demo_room/e&m_demos/5a20_20.html)
If the two pith balls have opposite charges, the pith balls will
A. attract each other, but remain apart.
B. attract each other and stick together.
C. repel each other and stay apart.
D. neither repel or attract.
3rd Item Specification: Know the relative size of electrons, protons, and neutrons
compared to the overall atom.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
21. Which of the following is the SMALLEST of the sub-atomic particles?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleon
22. Which of the following are most similar in mass?
A. Proton and electron
B. Proton and cation
C. Neutron and electron
D. Proton and neutron
23. Which of the following contributes to the mass of the nucleus?
A. Protons and electrons
B. Protons and cations
C. Neutrons and electrons
D. Protons and neutrons
24. Which of the following contributes to the mass outside the nucleus?
A. Protons
B. Electrons
C. Neutrons
D. Nucleons
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
25. The mass number of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons
located in the nucleus. If carbon has an atomic number of 6 and a mass number of
12, how many neutrons does it contain?
A. 0
B. 6
C. 12
D. 18
26. If the mass number of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons
located in the nucleus, how many protons does chlorine have if its atomic number
is 17 and its mass number is 35?
A. 35
B. 18
C. 17
D. 0
27. An atom has equal numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons. Which particle has
the least effect on its mass?
A. Neutron
B. Proton
C. Electron
D. Nucleon
28. The substance sodium is abundant in the ocean as an ion dissolved in water. In
order for an atom to become an ion which of the following needs to occur?
A. Electrons are lost or gained.
B. Protons are lost or gained.
C. Neutrons are lost or gained.
D. Nucleons are lost or gained.
29. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.
The mass number is the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. How many
protons does the element, lithium, contain?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 7
D. 10
30. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.
The mass number is the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. How many
neutrons does the element, lithium, contain?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 7
D. 10
Constructed Response P.8.A.7
1. The diagram below depicts Rutherford’s model of the atom. Use this diagram to
answer the following questions.
(From http://www.faqs.org/docs/qp/images/rfmodel.gif)
A. Early atomic theories posed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries focused on
including discoveries of sub-atomic particles. On such model was developed by
Rutherford. List the basic principles of the Rutherford model of the atom.
B. The following diagram shows Rutherford’s famous gold foil experiment. Use this
diagram to answer the question below.
(From http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Rutherford_gold-foil_experiment.jpg)
Describe the experimental evidence Rutherford used to develop his model and
why this explains how he developed the model.
Content Benchmark P.8.A.7
Students know the characteristics of electrons, protons, and neutrons. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. A, DOK Level 1
2. B, DOK Level 1
3. C, DOK Level 1
4. D, DOK Level 1
5. C, DOK Level 1
6. C, DOK Level 2
7. C, DOK Level 2
8. C, DOK Level 2
9. D, DOK Level 2
10. C, DOK Level 2
11. D, DOK Level 1
12. A, DOK Level 1
13. C, DOK Level 1
14. B, DOK Level 1
15. C, DOK Level 1
16. A, DOK Level 2
17. D, DOK Level 2
18. C, DOK Level 2
19. C, DOK Level 2
20. B, DOK Level 2
21. C, DOK Level 1
22. D, DOK Level 1
23. D, DOK Level 1
24. B, DOK Level 1
25. B, DOK Level 2
26. C, DOK Level 2
27. C, DOK Level 2
28. A, DOK Level 2
29. A, DOK Level 2
30. B, DOK Level 2
Constructed Response 3-point Answers and Score Rubrics:
Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly.
Student response indicates that the atom consists of positive and
negative charges, that the positive charges are located in the
nucleus, that negatively-charged electrons are located outside the
nucleus, and that most of the atom’s mass is located in the nucleus.
Students should describe the experimental evidence that Rutherford
used when he passed alpha particles (or massive positively-charged
particles) through gold foil. Student responses should indicated that
3 points
most of the alpha particles passed straight through the foil
indicating that the atom is mostly empty space. Students responses
should say that some of the particles were deflected showing that
negatively-charged electrons exist in the outer regions of the atom.
The student response should also indicate that a very few particles
where reflected straight back showing a very small and massive
region was at the center of the atom.
2 points
Response addresses all parts of the question and includes only
minor errors.
1 point
Response does not address all parts of the question.
0 point
Response is totally incorrect or no response provided.