Teacher Information:

Activity Description:

Interactive module that introduces atomic structure

Learning objectives:

After this activity, the student will be able to describe the basic structure of matter, name the parts of an atom, have experience using the Periodic Table, explain elements, and have the background to understand isotopes.

Concepts:

Chemical elements, Periodic Table, chemical symbols, atom, atomic number, atomic weight, protons, electrons, neutrons, atomic structure.

Big Ideas of Science:

• Matter is made from discrete fundamental units called atoms
• Chemical and physical properties of materials can be explained by the structure and arrangement of atoms, ions, and molecules and the forces between them
• Any bond or intermolecular attraction that can be formed can be broken

National Standards:

NS 5.8.2 - Develop an understanding of properties of matter

Note:

This game presents a simple introduction to the Rutherford-Bohr model of the atom and the way we organize the elements. For this game, the most common isotopes of the chemical elements are used. General questions about the properties of elements assume standard temperature and pressure (helium is liquid below -268°C and gold is a liquid above 1064 °C). They are intended to get players thinking about what they already know about elements. Students may be interested in the even smaller particles of quantum physics—like quarks, bosons, neutrinos, and antineutrinos.