Common Elements
Name:_________________
ws#_____
Science/ Phipps/ Block#___
Date:_______
-There is also a link on my website under Unit 2 Part A
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0501/es0501page01.cfm
Directions:
In this activity you will use the website to click through the 6 different steps.
At each step you will need to answer the questions below.
Step 1: Common Elements
Everything around us is made of atoms. Most objects are mixtures or compounds of different types of
atoms, but some common items consist of only a single type of atom. Each image here represents a
common item that is composed of only one or a few elements.
1. What elements are in these common items?(give it a guess!!)
2. Place the name in the same box as the picture.
Click Step 2: Zoom in on a Penny
2. Describe the differences in the penny at 125 microns vs ~3nm(nanometers).
3. Beside copper what are pennies today made of?
Click Step 3:Atomic Models
While various types of microscopes can reveal details at many levels of magnification, no microscope can
produce images showing the detailed parts of single atoms.
4. List the three subatomic particles that make up atoms. Give the mass and charge of each one.
Sub Atomic Particle
Charge
Weight
Location
Click Step 4: Build Atoms Yourself:
In these steps you will need to click next (white button) to move through the tutorial.
One way to find out about the structure of something is to take it apart. Another way is to construct
the item from its parts. This interactive model will allow you to build atoms of different elements from a
collection of subatomic particles.
7. Try to put 3 electrons on the 1st level, try to putting all the electrons on the second level.
a. Describe what happens to electrons.
Nucleus
18- 3rd Energy Level
___-2nd - Energy Level
__-1st - Energy Level
8. How many electrons fit on each energy level? –Write your answer in the boxes above.
Honors Only!!
Click Step 5: Build More Atoms / Make sure your elements are balanced!!
Fill in the Chart below for the following elements: complete any missing boxes!!
Element Name
Symbol
Be
Protons
Electrons
Neutrons
Carbon
Hydrogen
B
Lithium
5
1. An atom is determined by which particle? Describe how you used the model to come up with your answer.
2. What do you get when you change the number of neutrons in the nucleus?
3. What controls the "weight" of an atom? Describe how you used the model to come up with your
answer.
4. What do you get if the number of protons and electrons in your model is not equal?
Click Step 6: Reading the Periodic Table
5. Fill in the missing information:
What are the rules for writing the
symbol?
-Atomic number is equal to the number of____________________.
-Protons are always equal to _____________________.
How do you round this number?
What is the atomic Mass defined as…..?
What two subatomic particles make up the MASS?
6. Fill in the chart below:
Remember the
Symbol
‘s are always the same number! Calculating Neutrons (subtract Protons from Mass)
Atomic Atomic Protons Neutrons Electrons Interesting Fact
Number Mass
K
18
18
96
86