Atoms and Atomic Structure

Model 1: Lithium. 3 Electrons, 3 Protons, 4 Neutrons
(Materials Used: Purple Playdough, Q-tips)



Model 2: Neon, 10 electrons, 10 protons, 10 neutrons
(Materials used: Apple, toothpicks and marshmallows)





Model 3: Sodium, 11 Protons, 11 Electrons, 12 Neutrons
(Materials Used: Water Balloons)

1. What is the atomic number for each of your models?
     Model 1: Lithium-3
     Model 2: Neon- 10
     Model 3: Sodium- 11

2 What is the atomic mass number for each of your models?
    Model 1: Lithium- 6.941
    Model 2: Neon- 20.1797
    Model 3: Sodium- 22.989770

3. In your models, which two subatomic particles are equal?
     Model 1: Lithium- 3 electrons and 3 protons
     Model 2: Neon-  10 electrons and 10 protons
     Model 3: Sodium- 11 electrons and 11 protons

4. How would you make an isotope for one of your models?  What would change with the model?
  I would need to add or remove a neutron, therefore the nucleus would change.

5. Considering the overall volume of your element models, what makes up most of the volume of an atom? 
The overall volume of the element that I made is in nucleus where the protons and neutrons are located.

6. For one of your models, show with another image what happens when evergy excites an electron.



Excited Electron- Moved out a ring

7. Once the electron is excited, what do we typically observe when the electron returns to the ground state?
Once an electron is excited and returns to the ground state is emits a photon of energy which in turn may be seen as light.

8. Why are some elements different colors when they are excited?
The colors that are viewed depends on the amount of energy being released from the electron.  Different elements emit different gases.

9. With the Fourth of July coming up quickly, explain how the colors of fireworks arise.
We see the color from fireworks because electrons that are at ground state are absorbed with energy bringing them to an excited state.  When an electron is at an excited state and returns to a lower energy state, it emits a photon of energy, which is observed as light!  Or many beautiful fireworks!

10. Explain the overall rganizational structure of the periodic table.
-Vertical columns are groups or families.  They contain elements with similar chemical properties.
-Horizontal rows are called periods.  They contain elements in a range of properties from metallic to nonmetallic.
-Some groups have special names: Alakli Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Halogens, and Noble Gases.
-They are also sorted by Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

11.  List two example elements for each of these grups or classes:
Alkali Metals: Lithium and Sodium
Alkaline Earth: Calcium and Barium
Halogens: Iodine and Bromine
Noble Gases: Helium and Neon
Transition Metals: Zinc and Gold
Non-Metals: Carbon and Oxygen
Metalloids: Silicon and Boron