Gizmo Element Builder Worksheet

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Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________

Student Exploration: Element Builder

Vocabulary: atom, atomic number, electron, electron dot diagram, element, energy level, ion,
isotope, mass number, neutron, nucleus, periodic table, proton, radioactive, valence electrons

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. What are some of the different substances that make up a pizza? _____________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2. What substances make up water? _____________________________________________

3. What substances make up an aluminum can? ____________________________________

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. Aluminum 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.

1. Use the arrow buttons ( ) to add protons, neutrons,


and electrons to the atom. Press Play ( ).

A. Which particles are located in the nucleus?

_________________________________

B. Which particles orbit around the nucleus?

__________________________________

2. Turn on Show element name. What causes the element name to change? _____________

_________________________________________________________________________
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.

Question: What are the properties of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

1. Observe: Turn on Show element symbol and Element


notation. Three numbers surround the element symbol: the
mass number (A), electrical charge (no number is displayed if
the atom is neutral), and the atomic number (Z).

2. Investigate: Watch how the numbers change as you add or


remove particles.

A. Which number is equal to the number of protons in the atom? __________________

B. How can you calculate the number of neutrons (N) in an atom? _________________

___________________________________________________________________

C. Which particle (proton, neutron, or electron) has a positive charge? ______________

Negative charge? ______________ No charge at all? ______________

Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:


Electron  Create a neutral hydrogen atom (1 proton, 0
arrangements neutrons, 1 electron).
Question: How are electrons arranged around the nucleus of an atom?

1. Observe: Add electrons to the atom until you have used all the available electrons. What do

you notice? _______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

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.

A. How many electrons can fit in the first energy level? ___________

B. How many electrons can fit in the second energy level? ___________

C. How many electrons fit in the part of the third energy level shown? ___________

3. When elements combine to form compounds, they share electrons. Which energy level
is most likely involved in forming chemical bonds?______________________________

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