In this lesson, students will simulate, observe, and manipulate the variables that affect the structure and the properties of an atom.

• Students will discover that atoms are made up of particles and that the number of particles in an atom affects its properties.
• Students will learn that these particles - protons, neutrons, electrons - are found in specific locations in the atom.
• Students will learn that neutrons have a neutral charge, protons a positive charge (+) and electrons a negative (-) charge; atoms become unstable with large imbalances between the charges.
• Students will learn that an atom is neutral when there is the same number of protons as electrons; the charge of the atom becomes either positive or negative, depending on the net gain of either electrons (-) or protons (+).
• Students will learn about how atomic number, mass, and net charge are determined.
• Students will learn about the organization of the Periodic Table.

• matter
• atom
• proton
• neutron
• electron
• ion
• atomic mass
• atomic charge
• atomic number
• Periodic Table of Elements

Adapted from a PhET^TM simulation, this lesson involves students using TI-Nspire technology to simulate, observe, and manipulate the variables that affect the structure and, therefore, the properties of an atom.

As a result, student will:

• Reinforce understanding of the structure of an atom.
• Understand how changing particles numbers affects atoms.
• Recognize how atomic mass, atomic number  and net charge are determined.
• Apply understanding about the atom to the organization of the Periodic Table.