Objectives
- 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.
Vocabulary
- matter
- atom
- proton
- neutron
- electron
- ion
- atomic mass
- atomic charge
- atomic number
- Periodic Table of Elements
About the Lesson
Adapted from a PhETTM 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.
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