Summer 2013 Advanced Chemistry Project
History of the Atom and Fathers of the Modern Atomic
Theory
Amanda Renfro
Introduction: As time moves on and scientists gather more and more evidence, many of
our theories prove to be wrong or need to be modified. All theories are subject to change
as new evidence is gathered. Scientist between the years 1890 and 1915 completely
overthrew the conservative views of the previous scientist’s view of the atom. The new
facts about the atom have allowed spectacular developments in chemistry as well as
physics in the past 100 years.
The atom is the building block of life. The nature of atoms is involved in every single
aspect of your life as well as the physical world around you. Scientists continue to rewrite
the view of the atom. In this two part project, you will be investigating these amazing
scientist and their discoveries. As you do, you will also gain an understanding of the
atom’s structure then and now.
Project Criteria
Part One: Essay-You are to pick one of the fathers of the atomic theory and write an
essay that includes the following criteria:





A summary of what the modern atomic theory is. (This may help as an
introductory paragraph.)
An explanation of the contributions of your selected scientist. (This should be
included in the “body” of your essay.)
An explanation of how your scientist came about his conclusion; (any experiments
did he conducted or observations he made.)
How does your scientist’s model of the atom compare to the accepted model of
today’s atom (modern atomic theory).
Lastly, it should include how the materials utilized in your model (explained in
part 2) represent the scientist’s model. (For example “the pipe cleaners are used to
represent the orbit made by electrons in Bohr’s model.”)
List of the fathers of the Atomic Theory:
1. John Dalton
2. Joseph J. Thomson
3. Ernest Rutherford
4. Niels Bohr
5. James Chadwick
***Do not plagiarize!!! That is why the
essay is 250-300 words; short and
sweet. I do not expect you to
understand every aspect of the
scientist’s life. I do expect you to give
a genuine effort, give credit where
credit is due, and relate your project
to the main ideas of the scientist’s
model.
Part Two: Model-Once you have researched one of the scientists listed above and have
developed a solid understanding of their interpretation of the structure of the atom you
are to construct a model based on their theory of how the atom is arranged.





You may use any materials you wish.
The model must be no bigger than 30cm x 30cm x 30cm and no smaller than
10cm x 10cm x 10 cm, I do not have the room for massive models of the atom.
***Remember, the model must be a representation of your specific scientist’s
theory. This may or may not be what the current accepted theory is today.
The model must be free standing or hanging and 3 dimensional
Your essay must support your constructed model
Resources: Feel free to use encyclopedias, the internet, textbooks, and library books.
Remember you will have to document your sources!
Below are a few links that may be helpful:
http://atomictimeline.net/index.php
http://www.neoam.cc.ok.us
http://www.ausetute.com.au/atomichist.html
http://www.nobeliefs.com/atom.htm
Evaluation: This project is due on the first day of class and is your first major test grade.
After we finish lab safety and measurement units, we will be using the model to compare
and contrast the different theories regarding the currently accepted structure of the atom.
The grading rubric on the next page will give you an understanding of my expectations.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at either [email protected] or
[email protected]. I am very excited to teach you next year and hope you will enjoy
chemistry as much as I do. Be creative with this project and use materials that you have at
home.
Grading Rubric
Points
50
The Essay:
Required Elements
Required
 Contains accurate
elements met,
information
stated in own
 All parts of model
words, used 3
supported by
or more
evidence/
sources with
discoveries of
citations
scientist.
 Compares and
contrast student’s
model to modern
atomic theory.
 Cites at least two
different sources
 250-300 words
Points
50
The Model:
One model based on 1 of 5
scientists listed above,
Superior/
using materials of your
exceptional
choosing.
effort; Unique
in materials;
 Accurate
Creative
 Neat Construction
required
 Sturdy
elements met.
 Free standing or
hanging
 Size requirements
met
30
Not all
required
elements
met, 2-3
citations,
stated in
own words.
30
Above
average
effort. Easy
to
understand;
Required
elements
met.
15
10
Not all
Explanation is
requirements
not in your
met; brief
own words,
explanation understanding
of scientific
not
contribution; demonstrated,
less than 2
no citations.
citations.
15
10
Some effort;
Little or no
questionable
effort; poor
neatness; not
quality/
accurate;
messy; Not
some criteria accurate; most
met.
criteria not
met.