Name:
Class Period:
Atomic Structure Lab
Element:_______________________________
Materials:
One color of bead for Protons
One color of bead for Neutrons
One color of bead for Electrons
Pipe Cleaner
Fishing line
Periodic Table of Elements
Scissors
Activity Sheet
#________
#________
#________
Background Information:
Atoms are composed of protons (+), neutrons (0), and
electrons (-), each of which is uniquely essential to the
structure and function of the atom. The core is the nucleus,
which consists of protons and neutrons. Most of the mass of
an atom (about 99.9%) is in the nucleus. Electrons occupy
cloud configurations at several distinct distances from the
nucleus, called energy levels. See chart below:
Energy Level
1
2
3
4
Electron Capacity
2
8
18
32
Procedure: Atomic Structure
1. Choose an atom from the list on the board.
2. Make a model of this atom. Use one length of fishing
line to string together the beads representing the
protons and the beads representing the neutrons in the
nucleus.
Name:
Class Period:
3. Use the pipe cleaners to hold the beads representing
the electrons in rings around the nucleus.
4. Connect the model pieces with the other length of
fishing line.
Application:
1. Fill in the blanks for the atom you built:
Name of Element_________________
Symbol___________
Atomic Number__________________
Mass
#___________
Number of Electrons______________
Number of Protons________________
Number of Neutrons _______________
2. Classify the three main subatomic particles according to
mass, charge, and location in the atom.
Mass
Charge
Location
Proton
Neutron
Electron
3. What is an isotope?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
____________________
______________________________________________
_____
4. Think of an isotope of lithium with a mass number of 8.
Draw the original model of lithium and then the isotope
of lithium.
Name:
Class Period: