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Atomic Structure Web Quest
Part A – Atomic Structure and Atomic Models
1. You may remember that atoms are made up of three basic types of particles. Use the links below to complete the
chart. You are looking for basic facts, such as the size of the particles compared to each other.
Particle name Type of charge Location in the atom Relative Size
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/atom_structure.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10429/low/atomic/atomic.htm
2. Not all atoms are alike. What is it that makes one type of atom different from another? Look at the sites provided,
and draw a basic atomic model for both boron and aluminum. Be sure to include all three particles in your drawings.
http://www.chemicalelements.com/
www.webelements.com
3. Your drawings in question 2 were probably Bohr models – named after the scientist who came up with this model
in 1913. Use the following links to find out the atomic model currently used by scientists. Write a short (3-4)
sentence paragraph explaining the differences between the Bohr model and the currently accepted model. Why do
you think the Bohr model is still used in textbooks and assignments such as this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohr_model_of_the_atom
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/xray_spectra/background-atoms.html
Part B - Compounds
4. Compounds are formed when two or more elements combine chemically. A compound is named based on the
elements that make it up – such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or calcium oxide (CaO). Some compound names also
include prefixes that tell the number of atoms of each element in the compound, such as carbon monoxide (CO) or
carbon dioxide (CO2). Chemists use a chemical formula to show the number of atoms of each element in a
compound. You may or may not understand how to determine each formula, but you should understand what the
formula shows. Complete the chart giving the number of atoms of each element in each compound. If you need help,
check the following links.
Compound
Chemical formula Type and number of atoms
Water
H2O
Calcium chloride
CaCl2
2 H atoms
1 O atom
sodium hydrogen carbonate NaHCO3
(baking soda)
Hydrochloric acid
HCl
Sucrose (sugar)
C12H22O11
Table salt
(sodium chloride)
Silicon dioxide
NaCl
Magnesium phosphate
Mg3(PO4)2
SiO2
5. Compounds are formed when two or more elements combine. The two main types of compounds are ionic and
covalent. Table salt (NaCl) is an ionic compound. Sand (mainly SiO2) is covalent. Use the links below to determine
the main difference between the electron interactions in these two types of compounds. Draw or describe the
difference. Be sure you have explained both types of bonds.
http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/3b.asp
http://www.beyondbooks.com/psc92/3a.asphttp://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/index.htm
http://campus.northpark.edu/biology/cell/chembonds.html
6. Water has what are known as “polar covalent bonds”. What does this mean and why would it be important?
Chemical Bonding – INTERNET RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
View the sites below and answer the questions that follow
A. http://www.visionlearning.com/library/science/chemistry-1/CHE1.7-bonding.htm
1. Read Introduction. What did Lewis observe about atoms and what did he suggest?
1. What is a chemical bond?
2. Why do most atoms form chemical bonds?
2. Read Ionic Bonding. Explain in your own words the nature of an ionic bond.
1. What types of atoms typically form ionic bonds?
2. How are ionic bonds formed and what type of structure do they create?
3. What are the typical properties of ionic substances? Include the following: physical state, melting
point, solubility in water, electrical conductivity, and any other properties you'd like to include.
3. Click on the Simulation of the reaction of NaCl. There are three pages. Click on the prompt at the bottom
right to go to page 2 and 3.
Explain what you see.
4. Continue reading about ionic bonding. Explain why there is no such thing as a single ionic molecule.
5. Read Covalent Bonding. Click on the covalent bonding simulation and explain what you see.
1. What types of atoms typically form covalent bonds?
2. How are covalent bonds formed and what type of structure do they create?
3. What are the typical properties of covalent substances ? Include the following: physical state,
melting point, solubility in water, electrical conductivity, and any other properties you'd like to
include.
6. Continue reading Covalent Bonding. Explain why unlike ionic molecules covalent molecules exist.
7. Read Multiple Bonds And Lewis Dot Structures. From your notes or text what other type of multiple covalent
bond exists? Draw the Lewis dot structure of three molecular compounds- One with single bond(s), One with
double bond(s) and one with triple bond(s). Make statements about bond length and bond strength related to
the number of bonds between atoms.
8. Read Polar and Nonpolar Covalent Bonding. Click on the simulation of the water molecule. Explain what
you see.
9. From your notes or internet rescources explain electronegativity of atoms and how polar covalent bonds are
formed. Draw and example of a molecule with nonpolar covalent bond(s) and one with polar covalent bond(s)
indicating electronegativities of each atom, differences in electronegativities and partial charges if present.
10. Read Dipole. Explain the nature of a dipole. Go back to the previous simulation and explain why water is a
dipole.
You have had the opportunity to explore the key aspects of ionic and covalent metallic bonding. Now, let's put
your newfound knowledge to use!
1. Choose one of the following products to demonstrate what you have learned.

STORY - Choose one type of bonding and write “A Day in the Life of an Atom” story describing what
it's like to be an atom that forms your chosen bond type. The story should incorporate at least 5
properties.

COMIC STRIP - Choose one type of bonding and write a comic strip with 3+ frames. The comic should
incorporate at least 3 properties.

SINGLE-FRAME CARTOON - Draw a single-frame cartoon for each type of bonding. Each cartoon
should incorporate at least one key property.