Build An Atom Worksheet
Build An Atom Worksheet
1. Explore the Build an Atom simulation with your group. As you explore, talk about what you
find.
2.
a) List two things your group observed in the simulation.
1) As you add more protons the element changes
2) Whenever the number of Neutrons is added the element becomes unstable
3. Play until you discover which particle(s) determine(s) the name of the element you build.
What did you discover?
Protons
5. Play with the simulation to discover which particles affect the charge of an atom or ion.
a) Fill in the blanks below to show your results:
b) Develop a relationship (in the form of a single sentence or equation) that can predict the
charge based on the number and types of particle.
When the protons are more than the electrons the charge is positive and the number is the
difference. When the electrons are more then the charge is positive
6. Play with the simulation to discover what affects the mass number of your atom or ion.
7. Practice applying your understanding by playing 1st and 2nd levels on the game screen.
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PART II: SYMBOL SCREEN
8. Using the Symbol readout box, figure out which particles affect each component of the atomic
symbol.
a) In the atomic symbol below, label each letter (a, b, c, and d) with:
the particle(s) used to determine the letter, and
how the value of each letter is determined.
d b
a
c is the proton number and is determined by the element itself
d is the neutrons plus the protons, it is determined by the number of
neutrons.
b Electrons lost or gained, determine by how much electrons are lost or c
gained
a is the elements name and is determined by the number of protons
9. Create a definition (using a complete sentence) for each of these items based on your labels
from the atomic symbol above.
a) Element Symbol: it is the abbreviation of the elements name which is a group of atoms of
the same kind
10. Practice applying your understanding by playing the 3rd and 4th game levels. Play until you
can get all the questions correct on the 4th level.
11. In addition to atomic symbol, we can represent atoms by name and mass number.
a) Complete the table below:
Symbol Name
12 +1
6 C Carbon-12
18
9 F Fluorine-18
11
5 B Boron-11
b) Each representation (Symbol and Name) in the table above provides information about
the atom. Describe the similarities and differences between the Symbol and Name
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representations.
Similarities: They both show the atomic mass and the elements name
Differences: the symbol form shows the proton number as well as the charge while the Name only
shows the Mass number.
e) List all of the things that are different about these atoms (ignore the electrons).
They have different level of stability due to different number of neutrons and abundancy.
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.
Same proton number of protons but different neutron number.
15. Test your understanding of isotopes by examining the relationships between the pairs of
atoms listed below:
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neutrons neutrons Different Element
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EXERCISES
16. The periodic table has a great deal of information about every atom. Using your periodic
table, answer the following questions:
e) Can you tell from the periodic table exactly how many neutrons are in an atom? No
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18. To test your knowledge of isotopes, draw arrows between all pairs of atoms in the table above
that are isotopes of each other.
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