Build an Atom                   Name: ___________________________                                              

Learning Objectives: 

1. Draw models that show atoms or ions.
2. Use information about the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to

1. Identify an element and its position on the periodic table
2. Draw models of atoms
3. Determine if the model is for an atom or an ion.

3. Predict how changing the number protons, neutrons, or electrons will change the element, the charge, and the mass of an atom or ion.

Directions:

1. Explore the Build an Atom simulation with your partner (about 5 minutes). As you explore, talk about what you find with your partner.
2. Using Build an Atom, talk with your partner as you play with the parts of atoms to find:

1.  What parts go in the center of the atom?   ______________________________________
2. You can call the center of the atom, the nucleus. Most atoms in our environment have a stable nucleus.
3. Play around, and write down three examples of atoms that have a stable nucleus and include a drawing of your nucleus.

4. Everything around us is made up of different elements. The air has Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N). Plants and people have lots of Carbon (C). Helium (He) is in balloons.  Hydrogen (H) is in water.

Play until you discover which particle (or particles) determines the name of the element you build. What did you discover?

5. Test your idea by identifying the element for the 3 cases.

3. Play until you discover what affects the charge of your atom or ion.
   What is a rule for making...  

1. An atom neutral (one with 0 extra charge)?

2. A +ion (positive ion, one with extra positive charge)?

3. A - ion (negative ion, one with extra negative charge)?

4. Show a neutral atom, a positive ion, and a negative ion. (These examples should be consistent with the rules you discovered.) All of your examples should also have a stable nucleus.

5. Play until you discover what affects the mass of your atom or ion.
   
   Which particles are heavy and which particles are light?

What is a rule for determining the mass?

6. Using all of your rules, figure out what changes for each of these actions to an atom or ion.  You can test your ideas with the simulation. If you have new ideas, rewrite your rules.

Action: Add a Proton

Action: Remove a Neutron

Action: Remove an Electron

Action: Add an Electron

When you are finished, come check in with Frank to select an element.

Use the builder to first build an atom of your element. Make a sketch of the Bohr model. Then, begin researching information about your element.