NASA
Atoms, Elements, and Isotopes
Rings and golden nuggets contain the element gold, but how small can you break it down before it is no longer considered gold? A helpful presentation explains the basics about atoms, elements, and isotopes through a presentation.
PHET
Build an Atom
Scholars build specific elements by creating a model of its atomic structure. Objects they can include are protons, nuetrons, electrons, orbits, clouds, charge, and mass number. Simulation ends with questions to challenge individuals'...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Atomic Structure
Changing the number of neutrons in an atom makes it an isotope, but it does not change the element. Pupils complete logic puzzles, matching isotopes with their unique number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Either on paper or timed...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure
A flashy PowerPoint includes clear summaries of atomic structure and electronic configuration. Dot and cross diagrams will help viewers learn how to draw an atom. As a result, learners should be more clear how electronic configuration...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure
Students explore atomic structure. They observe a video on atomic structure and complete a Venn diagram on the parts of the atom. Students create their own graphic organizer on the parts of the atom using Inspiration software.
Curated OER
Simple Atomic Structure
Atomic structure is reviewed with connection to the gain or loss of electrons. The movement of electrons and the resulting behavior is summarized. Practical uses of static electricity is explained, with diagrams of the most common...
Curated OER
Electronic Structure of Atoms
In this chemistry instructional activity, students complete 22 problems and fill in the blank questions on quantum numbers, electron configuration and hybridization of orbitals.
It's About Time
Are Atoms Invisible?
Wow, an experiment that allows the class to participate in a missile war! Pupils discuss Thomsons's theory of cathode rays and simulate Rutherford's historical experiment to learn about atomic structure. They conclude this fourth lesson...
American Chemical Society
Atoms Can Be Rearranged to Make Different Molecules
Uncover the building blocks of the universe as budding chemists explore atoms and molecules in an exciting inquiry-based activity. Investigators view an interactive video describing the chemical structure of six molecules. Using...
Santa Monica College
Lewis Structures and Molecular Shapes
Learners practice drawing Lewis dot structures, build molecules with model kits, and predict molecular shapes using VSEPR theory. The combination of written work and hands-on reinforcement benefits young scientists.
Science Geek
Atomic Structure
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) was formed in 1919 and was crucial for allowing scientists to discuss findings during the Cold War. A presentation offers an introduction to atomic structure including the...
Teach Engineering
Gumdrop Atoms
There's nothing sticky about the resource, unless you count the gumdrops! Scholars create a model of a lithium atom, complete with protons, neutrons, and electrons. It's just that these models are made with gumdrops and toothpicks.
Curated OER
What Do Atoms Look Like?
For this atomic structure worksheet, high schoolers answer eleven short answer questions about the structure of atoms including the number of protons, neutrons and electrons. Students indicate the differences in isotopes of atoms and...
It's About Time
Atoms with More Than One Electron
Provide young chemists with the ability to manipulate atoms and predict their results, in this sixth lesson. Pupils analyze energy patterns as they predict the amount of energy required to remove electrons from atoms. They compare trends...
It's About Time
How Atoms Interact with Each Other
Connect the dots and assist young chemists as they demonstrate covalent and ionic bonding. Class members use their knowledge of valence electrons to predict compound formulas as they arrange electrons into various bonding structures to...
Curated OER
Nuclear Reactions - Rutherford's Alpha Scattering Experiment
Neat! Show your physics class exactly how Ernest Rutherford fired alpha particles at a piece of gold foil and so determined that most of an atom is composed of empty space. Not just a slide show, but almost an animation, this...
Curated OER
Atomic Musical Chairs
An engaging activity enlightens young chemists in this lesson on atomic structure. They play musical chairs through a series of concentric circles that represent electon orbitals. A laundry basket in the middle holds the protons and...
Curated OER
Review of Ionic and Covalent Compounds and Transitioning from Ionic to Covalent Compounds
Here is a unique assigment: compare and contrast ionic and covalent compounds in an extensive data table and then analyze Lewis dot structures in antoher. Three columns are to befilled in: "characteristic or feature," "applies to ionic...
Curated OER
How Structure Can Affect Properties Through Phase Changes
Students discuss how changing the structure of atoms and molecules can change the properties of a substance. They brainstorm and review their own examples of phase change with the help of a phase change diagram. Students describe the...
Curated OER
The Flame and the Atom:
High schoolers investigate the structure of atoms. Students read information about the Rutherford model, the Bohr model, and the Quantum Mechanical model examining each for its scientific validity. They watch a PowerPoint presentation of...
Curated OER
Lewis Structures
In this Lewis structures learning exercise, students review the rules for creating Lewis structures and then practice drawing Lewis dot structures. This learning exercise has 17 problems to solve.
Curated OER
The Structure of the Periodic Table
Learners investigate the periodic table, the structure of the atom and the subatomic particles. In this periodic table lesson plan, students complete 5 activities in order to better understand atoms and the periodic table. They use...
Curated OER
Composition of the Atom
Learners investigate the structure of the atom and its composition. For this atom structure lesson, students find the area of cut out circles and drop pens into the circles. They count the number of marks in the circles and relate their...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure and Bonding
Eighth graders discuss and write about what led up to the discovery of the atom. Students label proton, nucleus, electron, and neutron in their notes. Students take notes on electron shells and how different atoms have different...