Chemistry: Atom Builder
Name_________________________
Date _________________________
Online:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
Build an Atom: Click the three green “+” signs on the right hand side of the screen. Answer the following
questions first. Then build the atom on the computer to check.
- Look at a Periodic Table and find Beryllium (Be)
1. How many protons are in a neutral Beryllium atom? ___________________
2. How many neutrons are in a neutral Beryllium atom? ___________________
3. How many electrons are in a neutral Beryllium atom? ___________________
- Build this atom and check that you have built Beryllium.
1. How many valence electrons does Beryllium have? __________________________
2. What will happen to the charge if you remove the valence electrons? Check and see. ___________________
3. What are charged atoms called? ______________________________
- Remove one neutron.
1. What word appears in the nucleus when you remove a neutron? ________________________________
2. What is an atom called when the number of neutrons changes? _________________________________
3. What is the new mass of Beryllium? _____________________________________________________
4. Look on the right hand side and write down what it says in the symbol box. Tell what each number means.
- Click “Reset All,” and then click the three green “+” signs on the right hand side of the screen. Answer the
following questions first. Then build the atom on the computer to check.
- Look at a Periodic Table and find Nitrogen (N)
1. How many protons are in a neutral Nitrogen atom? _________________________________
2. How many neutrons are in a neutral Nitrogen atom? _________________________________
3. How many electrons are in a neutral Nitrogen atom? ________________________________
- Build this atom and check that you have built Nitrogen.
1. How many valence electrons does Nitrogen have? __________________________________
2. As a nonmetal, Nitrogen will gain electrons to have a full valence shell. How many valence electrons will
Nitrogen gain to have a full valence shell? ________________ Add this number of electrons.
3. What is the now charge of this Nitrogen ion? ____________________ Check and see.
4. Look on the right hand side and write down what it says in the symbol box. ________________ Tell what
each number means.
- Click the tab at the top that says “Game”
Play each level until you make a perfect score. Call me over when you complete a level with a perfect score,
and I will check it off. Compete to get the best times!!
Level 1 _____
Level 2 _____
Level 3 _____
Level 4 _____
Directions: Using the pHet website, you will build six different atoms. Build them on the computer then sketch what they look like in the provided boxes. Tell me the number of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, and atomic mass. You need to create Lithium and Oxygen. The other four you can decide! Lithium
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______
Oxygen
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______
Element Name: __________________
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______
Element Name: __________________
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______
Element Name: __________________
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______
Element Name: __________________
P: _____ N: _____ E: _____
Atomic Mass: _______