Lesson Plan: Build an Atom

Students will: o Apply knowledge of atoms to build an assigned elemental atom o Create connections between information found on the periodic table and the atoms of each element o Make predictions of how a charge will effect an atom o Create a visual of what they are learning about and present to peers
NETS Standards Addressed (http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-s-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2):

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues Identify trends and forecast possibilities Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations Wisconsin State Science Standards Addressed (http://standards.dpi.wi.gov/stn_scif12): D.12.1 Describe atomic structure and the properties of atoms, molecules, and matter during physical and chemical interactions D.12.1 Describe atomic structure and the properties of atoms, molecules, and matter during physical and chemical interactions D12.2 Explain the forces that hold the atom together and illustrate how nuclear interactions change the atom

Directions: 1. Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom 2. Download the Build an Atom program

3. Have students experiment with the program for about 5 minutes 4. Have students pair up and assign the class an element

5. Give them about 10-15 minutes to create the atom on their program a. Have students raise their hands when done b. Check their work when they have finished c. Assign them the next element 6. Ask students to predict how to create an atom with a positive charge, a negative charge

7. Explain to class, using the computer and projector, how to create an element with a charge on it and why that is 8. Have students pair up again and assign each pair a different element and charge 9. Give students 5-10 minutes to create their atom 10. Have students present their atom to the rest of the class a. Have students explain why their atom is the way it is i. Number of protons, neutrons, electrons 11. Have students type up a reflection paragraph at end of class. Have them answer the following: a. How do you know how many protons are in the nucleus for a given element? b. How do you know how many neutrons are in the nucleus for a given element? c. How do you know how many electrons are in the atom for a given neutral atom? d. How do you create an atom with a: i. Positive charge? ii. Negative charge?

Example response: The number of protons in the nucleus determines the element. The number of protons is equivalent to the atomic number of a given element, change the number of protons and you change the element. The number of neutrons is equal to the atomic mass minus the number of protons. The number of electrons must be equal to the number of protons because the charges must cancel each other out. To create an atom with a positive charge, the atom must have more protons than electrons, and to create an atom with a negative charge, the atom must have more electrons than protons.