Student - Element Builder
Student - 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
1. What are some of the different substances Pizza dough, tomato sauce, cheese,
that make up a pizza?
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.
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? atomic number
B. How can you calculate an atom's number of neutrons (N)? subtract the number of
protons, or atomic
number, from the mass
number.
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.
D. When an atom is charged, it is called an ion. How many electrons are in O2-? 2,6
1. Observe: Add electrons to the atom until you have used all the available electrons. How are the electrons
arranged?
they are not evenly arranged and exist in layers and seem to orbit around
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.
C. How many electrons fit in the part of the third energy level shown? 8
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).
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? hydrogen and Beryllium? magnesium
sodium
Explain: These have similar properties because they have the same number of valence electrons
Question: The 117 or so known elements are arranged in the periodic table. Why does the periodic
table have the shape it has?
1. Form a hypothesis: Look at the first three rows of the periodic table below.
Why do you think the elements are arranged the way that they are?
I think the elements are arranged with other elements with the same number of valence
electrons or similar chemical properties
2. ✏️Draw diagrams: Either hand draw in the space below or edit using the drawing tool to create an electron
Show electron dot diagram.✏️(Right Click on the picture, click “edit”, move the dots around the element
dot diagram for each of the elements below. Use the Gizmo to help you do this. To check your work, turn on
symbols)
3. Analyze: What do the elements in each column of the periodic table have in common?