Build Your Own Atom

Recently, in Science class, we have been learning about protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons make up the inside of the nucleus, and the electrons are on the outside orbiting around the nucleus. The electrons are also a lot smaller than protons and neutrons. Since we have also been learning about elements on the periodic table, we used both of those skills to create our own element atom using two spheres and different color beads and marbles. The blue marbles were the protons, the white marbles were the neutrons, and the green beads were the electrons. To start building the element, we found the atomic number on the periodic table. This showed us how many protons (or blue marbles) to put into the nucleus (or the inner sphere). Then, we subtracted that number from the atomic mass, which is the total number of atoms inside the nucleus. Doing this gave us the number of neutrons (or white marbles) that belong inside the nucleus. Then, since the element has to have a neutral balance, and the electrons have a negative charge, the number of electrons would balance out the protons. This gave us the number of electrons to put in the outer sphere, which is the same amount as the protons. Then we weighed our elements and recorded our data. I feel that this was a really fun and hands-on way to learn about the making of an element. It also helped us remember the vocabulary, and how to use a periodic table. This is definitely an activity that everyone would enjoy doing again, and it helps drill the information into our head.

to build your own atom go to... http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0501/es0501page04.cfm