Counterargument Table Debates
Topic
Electron Configurations
Scaffold Skill
Responding to Counterarguments
EBA Activity
Counterarguments Table Debate
Claims
Stack A Card 1:
It is better to find the electron configuration for Zinc by using the ladder method for electron configuration.
Stack B Card 1:
It is better to find the electron configuration for Zinc by using the periodic table method for electron configuration.
Stack A Card 2:
It is better to find the Noble gas shorthand configuration for Rubidium by using the ladder method for electron configuration.
Stack B Card 2:
It is better to find the Noble gas shorthand configuration for Rubidium by using the periodic table method for electron configuration.
Timing/
Pacing
The class will have already:
Learned what an electron configuration, subshell, and energy level all are. They also must know how to find how many electrons are in an atom.
In the ladder method, students use a pre-drawn “ladder” which shows the energy level and subshell designations in order of energy and they fill the ladder by using checkmarks.
In the periodic table method, students use the location of the element on the periodic table to determine its electron configuration (each block represents a specific orbital, and each row a corresponding energy level within that orbital, and each box represents how many electrons need to be placed in the orbital)
Learned Noble Gas Configuration: using the noble gas from the row before as a starting point, the student can abbreviate the configuration.
Notes
The opposing cards in stack A and B will have them find or analyze electron configurations through two different methods (both of which I will have taught them). Then they will have to argue why this method is better and then also provide a counterargument for why the other method is not better.
Boston Debate League 2012 ©
Follow Up
Activity
Text
Things to prompt them to include:
Ease of completing each
Paper usage
No ladders will be provided on tests/exams
Given ladder does not include f orbital
Noble gas configuration does not include all information- or does it? Depends on how well you know the configuration of that noble gas
If you use noble gas configuration, the ladder method is less useful because you wouldn’t know where to start
To add a written component, this activity can be followed by a Defeating the
Critic Paragraph
Standard Chemistry Text on electron configurations
Electron Configuration “Ladder” or Energy diagram
Boston Debate League 2012 ©
Name:____________________________________ Class:______________ Date:______________
Counterargument Table-Debate
Background Information:
Find the full Electron Configuration for:
Zinc-
Rubidium-
Find the Noble Gas Shorthand for both elements:
Zinc-
Rubidium-
Claim 1A:
It is better to find the electron configuration for
Zinc by using the ladder method for electron configuration.
Claim 1B:
It is better to find the electron configuration for
Zinc by using the periodic table method for electron configuration.
Claim 2A:
It is better to find the Noble gas shorthand configuration for Rubidium by using the ladder method for electron configuration.
Claim 2B:
It is better to find the Noble gas shorthand configuration for Rubidium by using the periodic table method for electron configuration.
Boston Debate League 2012 ©
Counterargument Table Debates
Before the Table Debate write the two reasons you believe your claim is true. If you have time, start forming counterarguments for your opponent’s claim.
Claim 1A/1B
Round 1
Warrants Counterarguments and/or
Responses
Round 2
Warrants Counterarguments and/or Responses
My Claim
( ):
My
Opponent’s
Claim ( ):
Claim 2A/2B
Round 1
Warrants Counterarguments and/or
Responses
Round 2
Warrants Counterarguments and/or Responses
My Claim
( ):
My
Opponent’s
Claim ( ):
Boston Debate League © 2012
Boston Debate League © 2012
