Curated OER
Atoms: The Building Block of Matter
Learners examine how scientific theories are developed. In this matter lesson plan, students explore the basic idea of quantum theory. They create a timeline of scientists, their contributions, and discoveries.
Curated OER
The Flame and the Atom:
Students 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 alpha...
Curated OER
Elements of Chemistry: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter
Students explore scientific theories and the works of scientists. In this chemistry lesson students develop a timeline that shows how scientists work was built on the ones before them.
Curated OER
Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory
Pupils are introduced to the structure of an atom and Dalton's atomic theory through a short video and mini-lecture. They also take a look at the weight of mass and become familiar with the idea of quantum theory
Curated OER
The Day the Atom Died (Grade K-1)
Students investigate what is wrong with the Rutherford atomic model. For this chemistry lesson, students answer questions about the atomic model after watching a video. They draw conclusions from the video and discuss how the atomic...
Curated OER
Grating Spectrometer
Students calculate the Balmer series. In this physics lesson, students observe hydrogen lamp spectra using spectrometers. They calculate wavelength and compare them with their theoretical calculations.
Curated OER
Physicists or Philosophers?
Trace the sequential process of the developing theories of atomic structure in the early 20th century, show, in historical development, how scientists "know" things, how experiments are set up and how interpretations are drawn from them,...
Curated OER
Angular Solution of Hydrogen Atom
Students participate in an angular solution of hydrogen activity. Using this activity, students also illustrate eigenvalue problems applied in mathematics. They explore Schrodinger's equation and particle wave duality.
Illustrative Mathematics
Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating II
The scientific issue of carbon-14 dating and exponential decay gets a statistics-based treatment in this problem. The class starts with a basic investigation of carbon content, but then branches out to questions of accuracy and...
SRI International
Science of Water
Water is crucial to survival. Scholars gain an appreciation for water by reading about it, learning about its atomic properties, and investigating its properties through six stations in a lab activity.
Curated OER
What is a Nanometer?
Students develop a concept of the relative size of objects in the nanoscale. They complete an internet assignment using the website,"Scaling the Universe to Your Desktop". Using analogies to common objects they get an appreciation for...
Curated OER
Historical Development of a Scientific Idea
Ninth graders examine how scientist's contribute to atomic theory. In this development of a scientific idea instructional activity students work in groups and research the development of the atomic model.
Curated OER
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Students calculate the values of electron binding energies. In this physics lesson, students solve for different wavelength characteristics of X-rays. They present their findings to the class.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Quantum Atomic Structure
This multi-day lesson plan helps young scholars to understand how the models of the atom have changed and how quantum mechanics affects the electrons as they orbit the nucleus.