The Atomic Model:
Hands on activity exploring the advanced Bohr model for the atom
Author(s)
Michael Starr
Subjects
Chemistry
Grade level
10-11
Duration
One 47-minute class
Rationale (How this relates to engineering and the STEMcinnnati theme)
Throughout history of its development the concept of the atom has been largely
theoretical. Only recent techniques have made it possible to actually capture a
glimpse of atoms their shapes and inner workings. Even then it still requires
substantial amounts of abstract thought to understand the intricate workings of
the atom and scientists are still baffled by many of its behaviors. This makes it a
very difficult subject to convey to students. However, it is necessary to teach
basic concepts because the fundamentals of engineering are based on the
understanding and harnessing of the power of atoms and their interactions with
each other.
Activity Summary
Students will be participating in a hands-on lesson concerned with the Bohr
atomic model. Atomic bingo will consist of instructions for placing color coated
candy in the locations on the worksheet provided which contains a blank Bohr
model. Once all the pieces have been placed in their respective positions on the
worksheet the first student to raise their hand with the correct model and element
name will be rewarded with praise and candy.
Activity
Catch and preassessment
Time
7 mins
Objectives/Starting information
Bingo atoms
Discussions
Objectives/Review
10 mins
15 mins
5 mins
5 mins
Post assessment
5 mins
Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify protons, neutrons, and electrons as sub-atomic particles
Identify the charge of protons, neutrons and electrons
Locate where protons, neutrons and electrons go on a Bohr atomic model
Indicate number of elections in the different orbital shells (i.e. 1s, 2s, 2p,
etc.) of a particular element
5. Indicate the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of a particular
element or isotope of an element
6. Define isotope as having a different number of neutrons
Standards
Ohio Standard: Physical Sciences
9-10 Benchmark A: Describe that matter is made of minute particles called
atoms and atoms are comprised of even smaller components. Explain the
structure and properties of atoms.
11-12 Benchmark C: Describe how atoms and molecules can gain or lose
energy only in discrete amounts.
11-12 Benchmark E: Summarize the historical development of scientific
theories and ideas within the study of physical sciences.
Background knowledge
Students will have learned of the sub-atomic particles protons, neutrons and
electrons from regular class activities. They will be familiar with the history of the
atom and the development of the Bohr atomic model. They have learned what
an isotope is and therefore have knowledge about where protons, electrons and
neutrons are located in the Bohr model and the numbers of each for a particular
isotope of an element.
Materials Required
-Pre-assessment sheet
-Bohr model work sheet
-m&m’s or other color coated candy for protons and neutrons (select two, or one,
colors for protons and neutrons)
-Nerds or other smaller candy for elections (additional example – Red Hots)
-Handout on common elemental isotopes and their abundancy
-Post-assessment sheet (same as pre-assessment with additional conceptual
questions)
Activities
Gaining Attention: The term Sub-atomic particles will be written on the board
as the students take their seats. As class begins a bag of candy for the activity
will be pulled out and the students will be asked what the bag contains while
emphasizing what is written on the board. For today this candy will be subatomic particles.
Stimulating the recall of prerequisite learning: Students will be asked where
the protons and neutrons go in the Bohr atomic model and where the electrons
go. They will be asked how the number of electrons relates to the number of
protons and what the atomic number of an element is. They will be given a
handout (attached) listing up to Neon the common isotopes and their relative
abundancy to help them in atomic bingo identify the element being described.
Informing learners of the objective: Today you will learn where protons,
neutrons and electrons are located on the Bohr atomic model and how to identify
isotopes of common elements.
Present the stimulus material (activity): Students will work individually for the
atomic bingo exercise and each will be given an isotope handout and Bohr model
worksheet as well as a baggie of candy that has been separated into the
appropriate colors and numbers. Do this for about 7 or 8 elements and isotopes
using carbon or Nitrogen as the largest atom. Will also discuss the isotope
tritium as a Spiderman 2 reference can be used (Dr. Octoapus, the villain, is
trying to get tritium to make his power generator) and inform students that it is an
isotope of hydrogen with 2 neutrons and 1 proton.
Eliciting the desired behavior/review: Students will place their electrons,
protons and neutrons in the appropriate locations as the teacher reads off the
instructions for constructing a particular element. Reading protons last is a good
practice as this is the key to understanding what element it is. Candy reward will
be given to the first student to get the correct element.
Assessment of Student Learning
Students will be given a pre-assessment consisting of multiple-choice questions
having to do with sub-atomic particles. The same questions will be distributed
after the activity along with 3 new questions written on the board.
Assessment of the Activity
Distribution of the STEP activity assessment form to the students and to the
teacher.
The Atom! Pre and post assessment questions
1.
The three basic sub-atomic particles are the:
a. Electron, Einstein and Pluto
b. Photon, Neutron and Nucleus
c. Electron, Proton, and Neutron
d. Nucleus, Electron and Neutron
2.
The electron has a
a. Neutral
b. Negative
c. Positive
d. Negligible
charge.
3.
The Neutron has a
a. Negative
b. Positive
c. Neutral
d. Negligible
charge.
4.
The Proton has a
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Negligible
d. Neutral
charge.
5.
The nucleus contains the following sub-atomic particles:
a. Electron and Neutron
b. Electron and Proton
c. Proton and Neutron
6.
The number of protons in the nucleus is called the:
a. Mass Number
b. Atomic Number
c. Atomic Weight
d. Nucleus number
7.
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus is called the:
a. Nucleus number
b. Atomic number
c. Mass number
d. Atomic weight
8.
______________ of an element have the same number of protons but a
different numbers of neutrons
a. Allotropes
b. Isotopes
c. Ions
d. None of the above
Elements and their common isotopes:
Hydrogen (Atomic number = 1)
-H1 (Hydrogen) – 1 proton, 0 neutrons. 99.9% abundant
Helium (atomic number = 2)
-He4 (Helium) – 2 protons, 2 neutrons. 99.9% abundant
Lithium (atomic number = 3)
-Li7 – 3 protons, 4 neutrons. 92.5% abundant
-Li6 – 3 protons, 3 neutrons. 8.5% abundant
Beryllium (atomic number = 4)
-Be9 – 4 protons, 5 neutrons. 100% abundant
Boron (atomic number = 5)
-B11 – 5 protons, 6 neutrons. 80% abundant
-B10 – 5 protons, 5 neutrons. 20% abundant
Carbon (atomic number = 6)
-C12 – 6 protons, 6 neutrons. 98.9% abundant
-C13 – 6 protons, 7 neutrons. 1.1% abundant
Nitrogen (atomic number = 7)
-N14 – 7 protons, 7 neutrons. 99.6% abundant
-N15 – 7 protons, 8 neutrons. 0.4% abundant
Oxygen (atomic number = 8)
-O16 – 8 protons, 8 neutrons. 99.8% abundant
Fluorine (atomic number = 9)
-F19 – 9 protons, 10 neutrons. 100% abundant
Neon (atomic number = 10)
-Ne20 – 10 protons, 10 neutrons. 90.5% abundant
-Ne21 – 10 protons, 11 neutrons. 0.3% abundant
-Ne22 – 10 protons, 12 neutrons. 9.2% abundant
Additional questions for post assessment written on the board, have the students
write answers on the back of the assessment form.
-Based on today’s activity please rank from least to greatest the relative masses
of the proton, electron and neutron. That is, how do their masses compare to
one another?
-During today’s activities we discussed the isotope tritium. Deuterium is also an
isotope of hydrogen, please list the number of electrons, protons and neutrons
present in the isotope deuterium. (emphasize the deu prefix).
-Please list the number of protons, neutrons and electrons present in the isotope
carbon 14.