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Lab #7 - Build An Atom

This document provides instructions for a lab activity using an online simulation to build atoms and explore their structure. Students will explore protons, neutrons, and electrons to determine an element's name and properties like charge. They will also examine atomic symbols and representations, and investigate isotopes by comparing atoms with the same number of protons but different neutrons.

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55 views

Lab #7 - Build An Atom

This document provides instructions for a lab activity using an online simulation to build atoms and explore their structure. Students will explore protons, neutrons, and electrons to determine an element's name and properties like charge. They will also examine atomic symbols and representations, and investigate isotopes by comparing atoms with the same number of protons but different neutrons.

Uploaded by

zoritaworkman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name _________________________________ Date ____________________

Lab #7: Building an Atom (PhET simulation)

PART I: ATOM SCREEN


Go to the website and choose the Build an Atom simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
1. Click on the + sign for each of the boxes (element name, net charge and mass number) to view changes as you change the
number of particles in the atom.

2. What particle(s) are found in the center of the atom? _________________________________________________________


3. Play until you discover which particle(s) determine(s) the name of the element you build. ___________________________
4. What is the name of the following atoms?
a. An atom with 3 protons and 4 neutrons: _____________
b. An atom with 2 protons and 4 neutrons: _____________
c. An atom with 4 protons and 4 neutrons: _____________
5. Play with the simulation to discover which particles affect the charge of an atom or ion. _____________________________
6. Fill in the blanks below to show your results:
a. Neutral atoms have the same number of protons and electrons.
b. Positive ions have ________________________________ protons than electrons.
c. Negative ions have _______________________________ protons than electrons.

PART II: SYMBOL SCREEN


7. Using the Symbol readout box, figure out which particles affect each component of the atomic symbol and how the value of
the numbers is determined.

Term to describe this Particle used to determine How the value is


Position in symbol box
information this determined

# of p will identify the


a Element symbol protons
element
b p+ + e-

c Atomic number

d Protons, neutrons

8. Create a definition (using a complete sentence) for each of these items based on your labels from the atomic symbol above.
a. Element Symbol

b. Charge

c. Atomic Number

d. Mass Number

9. In addition to atomic symbol, we can represent atoms by name and mass number. Complete the table below:

Symbol Name

Carbon-12

a) Each representation (Symbol and Name) in the table above provides information about the atom. Describe the
similarities and differences between the Symbol and Name representations.

PART III: ISOTOPES


10. Play with the simulation to determine:
a. Which particles affect the stability of the atom? _____________________
b. Which particles do not affect the stability of the atom? _______________
11. What are the names of the stable forms of oxygen?
a. Oxygen-16
b. Oxygen-____
c. Oxygen-____
12. List all of the things that are the same about these atoms (ignore the electrons).

13. List all of the things that are different about these atoms (ignore the electrons).
14. The atoms in the previous question are isotopes of each other. Based on this information, list the requirements for two atoms
to be isotopes of each other.

15. Test your understanding of isotopes by examining the relationships between the pairs of atoms listed below:

Atom 1 Atom 2 Relationship between atom 1 and atom 2


Isotopes
Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
Different Element
Isotopes
Carbon-12 Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
Different Element
Isotopes
Argon-40 Argon-41 Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
Different Element
Isotopes
Boron-10 Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
Different Element
An atom with 13 Isotopes
An atom with 14 protons and
protons and 13 Same Atom, Not Isotopes of Each Other
13 neutrons
neutrons Different Element

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