Name: __________________________________________ Class Period:_________ Date:_____________
Atomic Structure Lab
Assigned Element:____________________________________
Atomic Number
Symbol
Element Name
Materials:
Atomic Mass
Pipe Cleaners
Fishing Line
Scissors
3 different colors of beads
Subatomic Particle: Color:
# Needed:
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Reminders:
1.
To find the number of PROTONS look at the ATOMIC NUMBER
2.
To find the number of NEUTRONS you must SUBTRACT (atomic mass minus atomic number)
3.
To find the number of ELECTRONS look at the ATOMIC NUMBER
4.
The number of protons and electrons should be EQUAL to each other
5.
The atomic mass is always bigger than the atomic number. Mass is MASSIVE!! (Except in Hydrogen, it is almost the same)
Procedure:
You are going to make a model of an atom for the element you have been assigned. It is important that you make sure you have the correct number of protons, neutrons and electrons in
your model. It is also important that you make sure your atom is put together properly.
Building your Electron Shells:
First you are going to build your electron shells. ALL OF YOUR ELECTRONS MUST BE THE
SAME COLOR.
Place your electrons on the pipe cleaners to create your electron shells. The number of levels
you have depends on the number of electrons you have! Use the chart below to make sure you
have the correct number of electrons in each level.
Shell #
Maximum
Electrons
In My Atom I have
____ Electrons
1
2
I need ___ in level 1
2
8
I need ___ in level 2
3
18
I need ___ in level 3
4
32
I need ___ in level 4
(Energy Level)
Make sure you
follow these
guidelines for
filling your
electron
shells!!
(depending on the size of your atom, you might only have one shell,
pay attention!)
Building Your Nucleus:
Use a piece of fishing line to tie all of your protons and neutrons together into a ball. Look at
the directions below:
1. Make sure all of your protons are one color.
2. Make sure all of your neutrons are one color.
3. Make sure each subatomic particle is a different color.
4. Be careful when stringing the beads on the fishing line. Hold both ends or tie a bead to
the end so the others don’t fall off.
Putting it all Together:
Using fishing line, tie all of the parts together so that they are in the correct arrangement.
See the diagram of the atom above to help you.