Student Exploration: Element Builder: Element Builder Gizmo Shows An Atom With A Single
Student Exploration: Element Builder: Element Builder Gizmo Shows An Atom With A Single
Student Exploration: Element Builder: Element Builder Gizmo Shows An Atom With A Single
Vocabulary: atom, atomic number, electron, electron dot diagram, element, energy level, ion,
isotope, mass number, neutron, nucleus, periodic table, proton, radioactive, valence electrons
Elements are pure substances that are made up of one kind of atom. Pizza is not an element
because it is a mixture of many substances. Water is a pure substance, but it contains two kinds
of atom: oxygen and hydrogen. Iron is an element because it is composed of one kind of atom.
Gizmo Warm-up
Atoms are tiny particles of matter that are made up of
three particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The
Element Builder Gizmo shows an atom with a single
proton. The proton is located in the center of the atom,
called the nucleus.
Electrons___
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2. Turn on Show element name. What causes the element name to change? _____________
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Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity A:
Use the arrows to create an atom with two protons,
Subatomic
two neutrons, and two electrons.
particles
Turn on Show element name.
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B. How many neutrons are in an atom of Mg-25?
13 neutrons
D. When at atom is charged, it is called an ion. How many electrons are in O2-?
10 electrons
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Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:
Electron Create a neutral hydrogen atom (1 proton, 0
arrangements neutrons, 1 electron).
1. Observe: Add electrons to the atom until you have used all the available electrons. How are
2. Analyze: Electrons are arranged in orbits called energy levels. The Gizmo shows all of the
first two energy levels but only part of the third energy level.
C. How many electrons fit in the part of the third energy level shown?
8 electrons
3. Observe: Click Reset ( ). The electrons in the outermost orbit, called valence electrons,
help to create chemical bonds. Create a lithium atom (3 protons, 4 neutrons, 3 electrons).
4. Diagram: Turn on Show electron dot diagram. The valence electrons of an atom are
shown in an electron dot diagram. Each dot represents a valence electron.
5. Practice: Turn off Show electron dot diagram. Use the Gizmo to create a neutral atom of
each of the following elements. Draw an electron dot diagram for each. When you are
finished, turn on Show electron dot diagram and check your answers.
H He Li Be B C N
O F Ne Na Mg Al Si
6. Extend your thinking: Many chemical properties are determined by the number of valence
electrons. Elements with the same number of valence electrons will have similar properties.
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Which element has similar properties to lithium? Hydrogen Beryllium? Magnesium
Explain: They have the same number of valance electron which leads them to have similar
reactions with other elements.
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Get the Gizmo ready:
Extension:
Create a neutral hydrogen atom.
The periodic table If you have access to a periodic table, open it now.
(Not required.)
Question: The 117 or so known elements are arranged in the periodic table. Why does
the periodic table have the shape it has?
1. Form a hypothesis: Look at the first three rows of the periodic table below.
Why do you think the elements are arranged the way that they are?
They share the same number of valance electrons.
2. Draw diagrams: Create an electron dot diagram for each of the elements below. Use the
Gizmo to help you do this. To check your work, turn on Show electron dot diagram.
H He
Li Be B C N O F Ne
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
3. Analyze: What do the elements in each column of the periodic table have in common?
Each column has the same number of valance electrons.
4. Draw conclusions: How is the periodic table organized? The periodic table is arranged in
columns that include elements with the same number of valance and is overall increasing as
you move to the right.
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