Name:_____________________________
Period:____________________________
Lesson 2-3 Isotopes Student Handout ---Atom Builder
Go to the following website:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
Try to build four different atoms that all have a mass of 5 (make at least two of the neutral). Below,
record the components and information about the atoms you build.
Atom # of
# of
# of
Name
Mass Charge
Stable or
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
unstable
1
5
2
5
3
5
4
5
1.
Which component(s) affect the name of the atom?
2. How could you determine the mass of an atom?
3. How could you determine the charge of an atom?
4. What is needed to make an atom stable?
5. Make four new atoms based on the numbers below. Record the name, mass, charge, and
stability of each atom you make.
# of
# of
# of
Name
Mass
Charge Stable or unstable
protons electrons neutrons
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
6
Name:_____________________________
Period:____________________________
6. The atoms you made in question four would be called four isotopes of beryllium. What do the
four isotopes have in common?
7. How are the four isotopes different from each other?
Click on the “Game” tab on the top of the simulation page. Try to complete all four levels of the game.