ACTIVITY TWO

ACTIVITY TWO

Hydrogen:

Atomic Number: 1
Atomic Mass: 1.01

Subatomic Particles: 1 proton and 1 electron

Lithium:

Atomic Number: 3
Atomic Mass: 6.94

Subatomic Particles: 3 protons, 3 electrons, 3 neutrons

Carbon:

Atomic Number: 6
Atomic Mass: 12.01

Subatomic Particles: 6 protons, 6 electrons, 6 neutrons

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

Add or take away neutrons. It doesn’t change the atomic number, but changes the atomic mass. The model would have less apples.

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

Empty space takes up most of the volume, but the nucleus (neutrons and protons) makes up most of the mass of an atom.

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

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

When an electron drops from a higher energy level to a lower energy level it releases a photon and we observe light.

8. Why are some elements different colors when they are excited? Hint: when electrons are excited (by something like heat from an explosive) they move up to another orbital and when they fall back they release the energy in the form of light.

We observe different colors because when an electron drops from one energy level to another, the light emitted depends on which energy level the electron was at and which energy level the electron went to.

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

When a firework ignites it makes the electrons go to higher levels. We see this energy in the form of colored  light.

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

The periodic table is organized in rows and columns. Column one is alkali metals. Column two is alkaline earth metals. Columns three through twelve are transition metals. Columns thirteen through sixteen are semiconductors, and the groups that make up these columns are diagonal. Column seventeen is halogens and column eighteen is noble gases.

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

Alkali Metals: Lithium and Sodium

Alkaline Earth: Calcium and Magnesium

Halogens: Fluorine and Chlorine

Noble Gases: Neon and Helium

Transition Metals: Copper and Zinc

Non-Metals: Carbon and Oxygen

Metalloids: Boron and Silicon