Gizmo: Element Builder
By the end of this gizmo, you will be able to…
…name the 3 particles that make up an atom
…identify the location of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom
…identify the charges of protons, neutrons, and electrons
…test which atomic particle determines the identity of an element
…calculate the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons from an element’s periodic table data
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Part A Atoms are tiny particles of matter that are made up of three
particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The Gizmo shows an atom
with a single proton. The proton is located in the center of the atom, called
the nucleus.
>>Use the arrow buttons ( ) to add protons, neutrons, and electrons to
the atom. Press Play (
).
1) Which particle(s) are located in the nucleus?
2) Which particle(s) orbit around the nucleus?
>>Turn on Show element name. Continue to add or remove particles.
3) Which particle causes the element name to change?
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Part B
>>Use the arrows to create an atom with 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 2 electrons.
4) Draw and label the atom.
>>Turn on Show element name.
>>Turn on Show element symbol and Element notation. Three numbers surround the element symbol: the mass
number, electrical charge (no number is displayed if the atom is neutral), and the atomic number.
5) Draw and label the diagram to the right in your iSN.
6) Compare the labels in this diagram to those on the Periodic Table. Use the
arrows to create another element and label it as it appears in the Periodic
Table.
Example:
Atomic number
Mass number (Atomic Mass)
>>Add or remove protons, neutrons, and electrons. Watch the numbers change and
answer the questions below.
7) Which number is equal to the number of protons? (Be sure to use the correct vocab word).
8) How can you calculate the number of neutrons in an atom? Record your equation.
9) Which particle (proton, neutron, or electron) has a positive charge?
Negative charge?
No charge at all?
>>Go to http://mbcurl.me/D1RF and complete at least 10 problems.