CHEMISTRY 11: THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL OF THE ATOM
Lesson: Atomic Theory
1. Prior Knowledge: What is an atom?
Students come into Chemistry 11 with some basic ideas of what the atom is.
Cognitive Tool: Generalization (Philosophic Understanding)
Atomic Theory states that atoms are the smallest particle of matter that retain the unique
physical and chemical properties of that particular element and can take part in a
chemical reaction.
Unfortunately, these ideas are about 100 years out of date.
2. How do electrons behave in the atom?
Cognitive Tool: Search for Authority (Philosophic Understanding)
The image above was captured using a Quantum Microscope.
It shows the Electron Cloud of the hydrogen atom – May 2013, quantum microscope
captured the first image of a quantum mechanical model of the single electron in the
hydrogen atom.
3. Embryonic Ironic Understanding
It’s a particle, it’s a wave, it’s…String Theory!
Presenting an alternate theory: Matter exists as vibrating strings – the Theory of
Everything!