Activity 2: Atom and Atomic Structure

Model 1:              Silicon

This is a model of the element Silicon (Si) made out of wire and play dough. There are 14 purple balls of play dough that represent the neutrons and 14 pink balls that represent the protons in the nucleus. For this element there are 14 electrons that are placed on the three levels of wire. There are 2 on the first level, 8 on the second level and 4 on the third level.

Model 2:              Beryllium

This is a model of the element Beryllium (Be) also made out of wire and play dough. There are 4 pink balls of play dough that represent the protons and 5 green balls of play dough that represent the neutrons in the nucleus. For this element there are 4 electrons that are placed on the two levels of wire. There are 2 on the first level and 2 on the second level.

Model 3:              Carbon

This is a model of the element Carbon (C) made out of wire and play dough as well. There are 6 purple balls of play dough that represent the neutrons and 6 green balls that represent the protons in the nucleus. For this element there are 6 electrons that are placed on the two levels of wire. There are 2 on the first level and 4 on the second level

Questions:

1.      What is the atomic number for each of the models?

o   Silicon: 14

o   Beryllium: 4

o   Carbon: 6

2.     What is the atomic mass number for each of the models?

o   Silicon: 28.0855

o   Beryllium: 9.012182

o   Carbon: 12.0107

3.      In the models, which two subatomic particles are equal in number?

o   The number of protons are equal to the number of electrons. In the elements that I chose Silicon has 14 protons and 14 electrons, Beryllium has 4 protons and 4 electrons, and Carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons.

4.       How would you make an isotope for one of your models? What would change with the model?

o   Silicon has 14 protons and 14 neutrons and the atomic mass is 28. If I added 1 more neutron to my Silicon model the atomic weight would be 29.

5.       Considering the overall volume of the element models, what makes up most of the volume of an atom?

o   What makes up most of the volume of an atom is empty space where as the nucleus that is protons and neutrons make up most of the mass of the element.

6.       For one the models show with another image what happens when energy excites an electron.

o   When Oxygen gets excited.

7.       Once the election is excited, what do we typically observe when the electron returns to the ground-state?

o   An atom that is excited eventually produces a quantum of energy, which may be observed as light.

8.       Why are some elements different colors when they are excited?

o   According to our book an atom that is excited produces a quantum of energy as the electron jumps back down to one of the lower levels and reaches the ground-state. The color that is produced depends on the amount of energy that is released.

9.       With Fourth of July coming up quickly, explain how the colors of fireworks arise.

o   The colors of fireworks arise from the different energy levels of each of the elements. Sodium salts give a yellow flame, potassium a lavender flame, and lithium is a red flame.

10.   Explain the overall organizational structure of the periodic table.

o   The overall organizational structure of the periodic table has to do with the vertical columns which are groups that contain elements with similar chemical properties.  As for the horizontal rows which are elements that demonstrate a range of properties from metallic to nonmetallic.

11.  List two example elements for each of these groups or classes:

o   Alkali Metals: Lithium and Sodium

o   Alkaline Earth: Beryllium and Magnesium

o   Halogens: Fluorine and Chlorine

o   Noble Gases: Helium and Neon

o   Transition Metals: Scandium and Titanium

o   Non-Metals: Hydrogen and Carbon

o   Metalloids: Boron and Silicon

Source:  http://www.chemicalelements.com/index.html