Activity
Review of atom concepts with the AZER atomic model and the APH Periodic Table
This review is appropriate for students after they have both learned the AZER model and the APH Periodic Table.
This activity is designed as a review of concepts related to basic atomic structure. Students will need a review of these concepts, as well as a review of the AZER model with which they have learned these concepts.
This review allows students to do both and to work independently during the review.
Materials
- 1 AZER atomic model per student
- 1 Periodic Table per student
Preparation
- Prepare 1 atom per student using the AZER atomic model. The instruction manual for the AZER model is clear. Choose elements with 10 or fewer protons for time’s sake. If you are an itinerant TVI working with one student and have only one model, change the model several times (to different elements) to allow the student to review.
- Label the atoms on the bottom right in the appropriate reading medium. I just attached a label that I made on a braillewriter. Each atom should have a different consecutive number. For instance, I have 5 students in the class, so the atoms were labeled 1 through 5.
Procedure
Pass out one atom and a periodic table to each student. Students will pass the atoms around. The students should indicate the number on the bottom right of the atom on the document they create. (See below.) They may not be in order, but this is ok.
The students will identify the following for each of the 5 labeled atoms. They should work independently and can ask for help if they need it. They will create a file or use a braillewriter and call the assignment “Atom concepts”.
For each atom they will indicate:
- a. What element ?
- b. number of protons
- c. number of neutrons
- d. atomic number
- e. mass number
The document will look like this as an example.
Element 1 (from the label on the bottom right of the model)
- a. The element is boron.
- b. It has 5 protons.
- c. It has 6 neutrons.
- d. The atomic number is 5.
- e. The mass number is 11.
Students will complete this for each of the 5 atoms. The answer will not be in order.
Variations
Depending on the level of knowledge of the students, fewer concepts could be tested (or more).
NGSS Standards
PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
- Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. (HS-PS1-1)
- The periodic table orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus and places those with similar chemical properties in columns. The repeating patterns of this table reflect patterns of outer electron states. (HS-PS1-1)
PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
- The periodic table orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus and places those with similar chemical properties in columns. The repeating patterns of this table reflect patterns of outer electron states. (HS-PS1-2) (Note: This Disciplinary Core Idea is also addressed by HS-PS1-1.)
By Laura Hospitál
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