Student Exploration: Element Builder Gizmo

2019

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________

Student Exploration: Element Builder

Vocabulary: atom, atomic number, electron, electron dot diagram, element, energy level, ion,

isotope, mass number, neutron, nucleus, periodic table, proton, radioactive, valence electrons

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. What are some of the different substances that make up a pizza? _____________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2. What substances make up water? _____________________________________________

3. What substances make up an iron pot? _________________________________________

Elements are pure substances that are made up of one kind of atom. Pizza is not an element

because it is a mixture of many substances. Water is a pure substance, but it contains two kinds

of atom: oxygen and hydrogen. Iron is an element because it is composed of one kind of atom.

Gizmo Warm-up

Atoms are tiny particles of matter that are made up of

three particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The

Element Builder Gizmo shows an atom with a single

proton. The proton is located in the center of the atom,

called the nucleus.

1. Use the arrow buttons ( ) to add protons, neutrons,

and electrons to the atom. Press Play ( ).

A. Which particles are located in the nucleus?

_________________________________

B. Which particles orbit around the nucleus?

__________________________________

2. Turn on Show element name. What causes the element name to change? _____________

_________________________________________________________________________

2019

Activity A:

Subatomic

particles

Get the Gizmo ready:

 Use the arrows to create an atom with two protons,

two neutrons, and two electrons.

 Turn on Show element name.

Question: What are the properties of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

1. Observe: Turn on Show element symbol and Element

notation. Three numbers surround the element symbol: the

mass number (A), electrical charge (no number is displayed if

the atom is neutral), and the atomic number (Z).

2. Investigate: Watch how the numbers change as you add or

remove particles.

A. Which number is equal to the number of protons in the atom? __________________

B. How can you calculate the number of neutrons (N) in an atom? _________________

___________________________________________________________________

C. Which particle (proton, neutron, or electron) has a positive charge? ______________

Negative charge? ______________ No charge at all? ______________

3. Analyze: An isotope is an alternative form of an element. Each isotope of an element has

the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. The isotope is represented

by the atomic symbol and mass number, such as He-4. Some isotopes are stable, while

others are radioactive, which means the atoms decay over time and emit radiation.

A. What are the stable isotopes of carbon? ___________________________________

B. What are the stable isotopes of nitrogen? __________________________________

C. List two radioactive isotopes of oxygen: ___________________________________

4. Practice: Use the Gizmo to answer the following questions.

A. How many electrons are in a neutral atom of lithium? ______

B. How many neutrons are in an atom of Mg-25? ______

C. What is the mass number of an atom with 5 protons and 7 neutrons? ______

D. When at atom is charged, it is called an ion. How many electrons are in O

? ______

E. How many electrons are in Mg

? ______

2019

Activity B:

Electron

arrangements

Get the Gizmo ready:

 Create a neutral hydrogen atom (1 proton, 0

neutrons, 1 electron).

Question: How are electrons arranged around the nucleus of an atom?

1. Observe: Add electrons to the atom until you have used all the available electrons. How are

the electrons arranged? ______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Analyze: Electrons are arranged in orbits called energy levels. The Gizmo shows all of the

first two energy levels but only part of the third energy level.

A. How many electrons can fit in the first energy level? ___________

B. How many electrons can fit in the second energy level? ___________

C. How many electrons fit in the part of the third energy level shown? ___________

3. Observe: Click Reset ( ). The electrons in the outermost orbit, called valence electrons,

help to create chemical bonds. Create a lithium atom (3 protons, 4 neutrons, 3 electrons).

How many valence electrons are in a neutral lithium atom? ___________

4. Diagram: Turn on Show electron dot diagram. The valence electrons of an atom are

shown in an electron dot diagram. Each dot represents a valence electron.

Draw the electron dot diagram for neutral lithium: ___________

5. Practice: Turn off Show electron dot diagram. Use the Gizmo to create a neutral atom of

each of the following elements. Draw an electron dot diagram for each. When you are

finished, turn on Show electron dot diagram and check your answers.

H He Li Be B C N

O F Ne Na Mg Al Si

6. Extend your thinking: Many chemical properties are determined by the number of valence

electrons. Elements with the same number of valence electrons will have similar properties.

Which element has similar properties to lithium? _________ Beryllium? _________

Explain: __________________________________________________________________

273

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FAQs of Student Exploration: Element Builder Gizmo

What are the main components of an atom?

An atom consists of three primary subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged and reside in the nucleus, while neutrons have no charge and also occupy the nucleus. Electrons are negatively charged and orbit around the nucleus in energy levels. Understanding these components is essential for grasping the basics of chemistry and how elements interact.

How do isotopes differ from one another?

Isotopes are variants of the same element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. This difference in neutrons affects the mass number of the isotope. Some isotopes are stable, while others are radioactive, meaning they decay over time and emit radiation. Learning about isotopes is crucial for understanding concepts in nuclear chemistry and applications in medicine and energy.

What is the significance of valence electrons?

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and play a key role in chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons determines how an element interacts with others, influencing its reactivity and the types of bonds it can form. Understanding valence electrons is fundamental for predicting the behavior of elements in chemical reactions and compounds.

What educational level is the Element Builder Gizmo suitable for?

The Element Builder Gizmo is designed primarily for middle and high school students studying chemistry. It serves as an interactive tool to help students visualize and understand complex concepts related to atomic structure and the periodic table. This resource is particularly useful for students preparing for exams in chemistry and related science subjects.