Build an Atom Simulation Lab
Purpose:
By the end of this lab you should be able to:
Draw models that show atoms or ions.
Use information about the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to
Identify an element and its position on the periodic table
Draw models of atoms
Determine if the model is for a atom or an ion.
Predict how changing the number protons, neutrons, or electrons will change the element, the charge,
and the mass of an atom or ion.
Pre-Lab:
You build an atom that has the following components:
3 protons P
4 neutrons N
3 electrons E
Draw a picture of how you would build your atom below:
What charges would you expect to see for each subatomic particle?
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
STOP! Get teacher approval before moving forward.
Build an Atom Simulation Lab
Simulation Lab:
1. Explore the Build an Atom simulation with your partner (about 5 minutes). As you explore, talk about what
you find with your partner.
2. Using Build an Atom, talk with your partner as you play with the parts of atoms to find:
Which subatomic particle types go in the center of the atom? ____________________________
The center of the atom is called the nucleus. Most atoms in our environment have a stable nucleus.
Play around with the simulator to get comfortable with the controls. Write down three examples of atoms
that have a stable nucleus that you find and include a drawing of your nuclei below.
Number of particles in Draw What element
your nucleus: your nucleus is it?
Protons: _______________
1.
Neutrons: ______________
Protons: _______________
2.
Neutrons: ______________
Protons: _______________
3.
Neutrons: ______________
3. Everything around us is made up of different elements. The air has Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N). Plants
and people have lots of Carbon (C). Helium (He) is in balloons. Hydrogen (H) is in water. Play until you
discover which particle (or particles) determines the name of the element you build. What did you
discover?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Build an Atom Simulation Lab
Test your idea by identifying the element for the 3 cases.
Particles What What Determines Circle the Element
Element? the Element?
Protons: 6 ☐ Proton
1. Neutrons: 6 ☐ Neutron
Electrons: 6 ☐ Electron
Protons: 7 ☐ Proton
2. Neutrons: 6 ☐ Neutron
Electrons: 6 ☐ Electron
Protons: 6 ☐ Proton
3. Neutrons: 7 ☐ Neutron
Electrons: 7 ☐ Electron
4. Play until you discover what affects the charge of your atom or ion.
Make a rule that will ALWAYS WORK for creating the atom / ion types below.
A. A neutral atom (one with 0 net charge)?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
B. A cation (positive ion = atom with net positive charge)?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
C. An anion (negative ion = atom with net negative charge)?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
STOP! Get teacher approval before moving forward.
Build an Atom Simulation Lab
5. Play until you discover what affects the mass of your atom or ion.
A. Which subatomic particle(s) are heavy and contribute significant mass to the atom?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B. Which subatomic particle(s) are light and contribute negligible (insignificant or not enough to make a
difference) mass to the atom?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Test your idea by identifying the mass of the atoms below.
Mass of the
Particles Element? Circle the Element
atom?
Protons: 8
1. Neutrons: 8
Electrons: 8
Protons: 8
2. Neutrons: 9
Electrons: 8
Protons: 8
3. Neutrons: 8
Electrons: 9
Protons: 9
4. Neutrons: 8
Electrons: 8
6. Make a rule that will ALWAYS WORK for changing the mass of the atom without changing the identity of
the atom.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
STOP! Get teacher approval before moving forward.
Build an Atom Simulation Lab
7. Using all of your rules, figure out what changes for each of these actions to an atom or ion. You can test
your ideas with the simulation. If you have new ideas, rewrite your rules.
What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Add a
☐ Charge
Proton
☐ Mass
What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Remove a
☐ Charge
Neutron
☐ Mass
What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Remove an
☐ Charge
Electron
☐ Mass
What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Add a
☐ Charge
Electron
☐ Mass
STOP! Get teacher approval before moving forward.