Browsing by Module

Module 1: Atomic-Molecular Structures

Overview

Atoms, electrons, and chemicals bonds are the focus of a set of interactive model-based activities that introduce students to the nature of electronegativity, chemical bonds, and intra-molecular forces.

Activities

• Atomic Structure (SAM)
  
  
• Charge-Dipole Interaction
  
  
• Crystals: Closely Packed Metals (3D dynamic)
  
  
• Finding the Nucleus of a Helium Atom (see "Important Notice!")
  
  
• Graphite: Chemical Bond Network
  
  
• Hemoglobin (ROVER)
  
  
• Introduction to Crystals
  
  
• Mass Effect of Diffusion
  
  
• Mission Immunity (Rover)
  
  
• Models of the Atom (see "Important Notice!")
  
  
• Molecular Crystals
  
  
• Molecular Geometry: (SAM) Introduction to Molecular Shape
  
  
• Molecules with Aromatic Rings
  
  
• Nanomachines
  
  
• Piezoelectric Effect
  
  
• Point Defects in Crystals
  
  
• Potential Energy in Covalent Bond Formation
  
  
• Self-alignment of dipole moments and alignment in external field
  
  
• Strong Chemical Bonds (SAM)
  
  
• Van der Waals Attractions (SAM)
  
  
• X-ray Crystallography
  
  

Objectives and Goals

Students will be able to:

· Construct models of atoms with properties of particular mass, charge and stability by adding or subtracting neutrons, protons and electrons.

· Explore a number of key molecules in a variety of 3-D representational formats

· Build crystal structures.

· Explain the relationship between types of bonds and the electronegativity of the bonded atoms.

· Experiment with particles that exhibit dipole moments and electrons respond to point charges and applied electric fields.

· Determine how charges create electric fields and how electric fields exert forces on other charges.

Standards

NSES:

• Physical-Science: Matter Structure/Properties -2 An element is composed of a single type of atom. When elements are listed in order according to the number of protons (called the atomic number), repeating patterns of physical and chemical properties identify families of elements with similar properties. This 'Periodic Table' is a consequence of the repeating pattern of outermost electrons and their permitted energies.

• Physical-Science: Matter Structure/Properties - 1 Atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing electrons (Full Text of Standard)

• Physical-Science: Matter Structure/Properties - 3 Bonds between atoms are created when electrons are paired up

AAAS: THE PHYSICAL SETTING: THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER - Atoms often join with one another in various combinations in distinct molecules or in repeating three-dimensional crystal patterns.