Build an Atom PhET
• Low Data Prediction: Is an atom with 10 protons, 11
neutrons, 10 electrons stable?
Wild Guess
Inquiry to
Determine
Pattern
Making Sense
of the Pattern
Through
Consensus
Data
Informed
Prediction
This is tough one, what do we need to know?
Build an Atom PhET
• Low Data Prediction: Is an atom with 10 protons, 11
neutrons, 10 electrons stable?
Wild Guess
Inquiry to
Determine
Pattern
Making Sense of
the Pattern
Through
Consensus
Data Informed
Prediction
Research Question: What creates a stable atom?
Build an Atom PhET
Research Question: What creates a stable atom?
• Refined Research Question:
• Group A: what is the proton to neutron ratio
for a +1 charged atom?
• Group B: what is the proton to neutron ratio
for a neutral atom?
• Group C: what is the proton to neutron ratio
for a -1 charged atom?
• Hypothesis:
Build an Atom PhET
neutrons
1) sketch in graph form (think about wild guess from previous slide
Protons
than think doubling or tripling the protons)
2) in words “I think neutrons depends on the protons for
a ______ charged atom in a ______ relationship,
because ______ ”
Build an Atom PhET
• Variables:
1. Identify the independent variable
– protons
2. Identify the dependent variable
– neutrons
3. Identify the controlled variables
– Charge neutral atoms
Build an Atom PhET
• Method:
1. Experimental set-up
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/buildanatom
2. How will you control the controlled variables?
–
By adding and taking away electrons
3. How will you change the independent variable?
–
By adding and taking away protons
4. How will you change the dependent variable?
–
By adding and taking away neutrons
Build an Atom PhET
Value of controlled variables:
Number of
Protons in
nucleus
Number of
Neutrons in
nucleus
Number of
electrons in
atom
Mass Number
Symbol
Net Charge
Conclusion
• Answer the following as you write your conclusion:
• Explain the proton/electron ratio for a neutral, +1
and -1 charge
• What particles affect the mass number?
• What particles determine whether the atom has
nuclear stability versus electrical stability?
• What is the proton/neutron ratio for a stable atom?
Explain the pattern observed for stable atoms.