Building an Atom
Website: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-atom/latest/build-an-atom_en.html
Open the Phet build-an-atom simulator.
Introduction:
What is an atom?
Who were some of the scientists involved in discovering the atom?
What particles are atoms composed of?
Hypothesis:
Predict how the addition of subatomic particles will affect the structure
and properties of an atom. (Example: I
predict that adding more neutrons will affect . . .)
Procedure:
In the atom building simulator, select the first choice, labeled
“Atom”. Select “orbits” as the
model. Then click the “ ” next to Net
Charge and Mass Number to open both of those windows.
To build an atom, click and drag protons, neutrons, and electrons and place
them into the atom. Experiment with the
atom builder and build 4 different atoms.
Record the data for your atoms in the table below and then answer the
analysis questions.
You may need to do additional experimenting to answer the analysis questions so
keep the simulation open until you have completed the assignment.
Data:
Atom
Element
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Net
Charge
Mass
Number
1
2
3
4
Analysis
and Conclusion:
1.
What causes an atom to become negatively
charged?
2.
What causes an atom to become positively
charged?
3.
What particle determines the name of the
element?
4.
Which particles compose the nucleus?
5.
How is the mass number determined?
6.
What is the name of an element with 3 protons
and 3 neutrons?
7.
What is the name of an element with 3 protons
and 5 neutrons?
8.
What is the name of an element with 5 protons
and 3 neutrons?
9.
What can be altered in an atom without
changing its identity?
10.
Reflection: Which particle do you think is
most important in an atom? Why?
11.
Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?