Lab 16 – Atom Model
GRADE-LEVEL adjustments. This activity is often performed in the elementary grades. Even so, with an elevated context this otherwise elementary school craft-making activity can be adjusted to – and applicable to – high school students. Whereas in elementary/middle grades this activity is somewhat of a hands-on craft activity (almost art-like), in high school a series of discussions and higher-order thinking skills can be added. This is especially true when chemistry concepts are included as part of the models, and in the discussions/discoveries.
Example 1 of high-school modification
Have separately assigned teams create a water molecule or a lithium fluoride ionic compound. As a class, propose, imagine and debate how both H20 and LiF share their colorless/odorless characteristics, while the only the latter has a bitter saline taste.
Overhead Instructor Lab 16
- Water (H20). Create two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Discuss the resulting colorless and odorless polar covalent bond formed in this common molecule.
- Lithium Fluoride (LiF). Create a single Lithium and Fluorine atom. Discuss the resulting colorless and odorless ionic bond of these two atoms.
Example 2 of high school modification
Include discussions which emphasize scale, use of models to communicate, and the value of 3D models to illustrate physical relationships.
- Discuss (and calculate) how large the model would be if it were proportional to actual distances of electrons and their protons (physical relationship calculations).
- Reinforce that this activity is one (simpler) example of the STEM practice of developing and using models.
- Include examination of the cross-cutting concept of Scale, Proportion, and Quantity in selection of a specific atom (ie, carbon vs hydrogen).
Activity Overview
3D atom models are a common science project and craft made to help understand how certain atoms work. A 3D atom model can be useful to demonstrate in a classroom or use to explain when giving a lesson about atoms. Atom models aren’t too hard to build. The Wiki-How article below shares a few different atoms that students can create.
- Wiki How-To Three ways to Make a Small Atom Model.
NOTE: There are possibly hundreds of ways to modify/adapt this activity to a classroom. Generally, spherical objects are used to represent the nucleus (protons and neutrons) as well as the smaller electrons. Depending on the age of students, their maturity level, and their capacity for more/less sophisticated work approach – instructors should use their judgment on how best to include this activity in their curriculum.
Instructional Material and Handouts
This lab does not have a separate introductory handout or lesson. Use physical science topic 14 material to introduce atoms.
Lab Material
- Materials needed: varies depending on several factors including “type of model”, budget constraints, age/maturity of students, and teacher judgement. Choice made for the “spherical” subatomic particles will be the primary cost driver. Possible choices are sports balls (e.g., basketball, tennis ball, golf ball, ping pong), Styrofoam™ balls, candy, or even wadded up paper pieces can serve as reasonable representations. Other typical supplies required are glue, scissors, paint, wire, string, tape, and paper.
- Suggestion: Divide class into small teams of 2-6 students/each.
- Student-led Purchase Order: have student groups explore possible “model types” through web searches and then create a purchase order list (with prices) of requested items. Give individual groups (or, the entire class) a specific budget. For example, as of August 2018, a reasonable budget for a class of 20 students (4 groups of 5 students) is about $40 for the entire class. Note that the cost of a Helium or Lithium atom model is likely less than a Carbon or Oxygen (for example). This approach, to have students fill-out a school required P.O. provides insight into the purchasing processes of most larger organizations (a school in this instance) – AND requires team collaboration prior to construction of the atom model, as well as estimating and computing prices.
Atom Model Making Videos (if needed)
0:15 Atom model
6:05 How to Build Atomic Models
4:09 How to Build a Model of an Atom for a Science Project : Science Projects
Suggested Related Topics
This activity is a recommended topic enhancer for the following topics:
Instructor Emphasis:
- Lab emphasis: Physical relationship calculations
- Science and engineering practices: Develop and use models
- Crosscutting Concepts: Scale, Proportion, and Quantity