NAME: ________________________________ DATE: ________ PER: __
Q2 P ROJECT
CREATING AN ATOMIC MODEL TIMELINE
The current model of the atom consists of a nucleus composed of protons and
neutrons which is surrounded by an electron cloud. However, the model of the
atom has not always looked this way. It has changed significantly over time as
experiments using up-to-the-minute technologies have uncovered new aspects
of the atom. This project is designed to help you learn more about how the
current model of the atom was developed and how the model of the atom
changed over time.
DUE TO:
November 9, 2015
*** You have one week to access the internet. Waiting until the last minute
and having internet access issues is not a valid excuse for a project being late.
CRITERIA
Part A: On an 11 inch x 17 inch piece of paper (tape 2 pieces of white printer paper together), create a colorful,
neat timeline of the discoveries made by scientists (called atomic theorists) which contributed to the
development of the current atomic model. Please note that many of these scientists’ contributions can be found
in the handouts provided to you. Your goal is to research how each of the following scientists contributed to the
atomic model:
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Neils Bohr
James Chadwick
Democritus
John Dalton
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Murray Gell- Mann
and George Zweig
Werner Heisenberg
and Erwin
Schrödinger
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Ernest Rutherford
J.J. (Joseph John)
Thomson
Place each scientist on the timeline in chronological order
Provide the year for each discovery.
Provide a clear, brief description of what each scientist discovered about the atom, how they changed our
understanding of the model of the atom, or how their theory helped advance our current understanding of
the atomic model.
Draw a colorful picture/diagram that shows their discovery. The picture/diagram may be of the part of the
atom they are responsible for discovering, the model of the atom as of that date in history, or the
experiment that enabled the discovery.
Bonus Timeline Entry: The final event on your timeline should be the Large Hadron Collider – using 2015 as
the date. For this entry, draw a picture of the Collider and provide a summary of what scientists hope that this
piece of equipment will help them uncover or what type of discoveries has the Hadron Collider made thus far.
The timeline must be created by hand. You may not use pictures from the internet. You will not be
graded on your artist abilities. You will be graded the accuracy of the information listed on your timeline,
the amount of effort placed into the project, and the creativity, colorfulness, and neatness of your work.
RESOURCES
The following resources may assist you in the creation of this timeline.
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http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/large-hadron-collider.htm
http://atomictimeline.net/index.php
http://craigjm.tripod.com/physics.html
http://particleadventure.org/other/history/index.html
http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/chemistry-in-history/themes/atomic-andnuclear-structure/index.aspx