Amazing Atoms

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Do you ever wonder what everything is made from? For most of history, people did not know!

What am I made of? What is that rock made of? What is my dog made of?

Click on me to continue.

Because of the incredible work of many scientists who have lived before us, we know that matter is made from super tiny building blocks called atoms!

Back in 400 BCE, Democritus wondered about what made up the tiniest piece of any kind of matter.

Just like this car is made from basic building blocks....

ALL matter is made from basic building blocks called atoms.

Do you remember what is considered matter?

Matter is anything that has __________.

pizzazz and style

mass and takes up space

obby and spleef

Yes, matter is anything that has mass and volume!

And all matter is made up of......

air

atoms

obsidian

You got it! All matter has mass, takes up space, and is made from super tiny building blocks called atoms!

Atoms are SO tiny that it would take over 1 million of them to make a bridge across the width (not length!) of this blue line!

Over 1,000,000 atoms across!

Click on the blue line to the right.

You got it! All matter has mass, takes up space and is made from super tiny building blocks called atoms!

Take your best guess.... About how many atoms do you think are in ONE drop of water?

5,000,000,000 atoms

5,000,000 atoms

5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms

(five million atoms)

(five billion atoms)

(five sextillion atoms)

Yes! 1 tiny grain of sand is made up of about 20,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms!

Imagine how many atoms make up the whole beach!

Yes! There are about 5 sextillion atoms (that's a 5 followed by 21 zeros) in just one drop of water!

Speaking of water, what is the chemical formula of water?

CO

H O

Yes! The chemical formula for water is H O because each water molecule is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Hydrogen and oxygen have the symbols H and O. They are two kinds of atoms. Each kind of atom is an element.

Model of a water (H O) molecule.

Click on the oxygen atom in the model of the water molecule above.

Note: This lesson's focus is atoms. We will learn more about molecules in a different lesson. For now, think about how all matter is made up of different kinds of atoms.

All of the known elements (kinds of atoms) are organized in the periodic table of elements.

The Periodic Table of Elements

Click on the box for hydrogen on the periodic table of elements.

You got it! Hydrogen is the very first element on the periodic table of elements.

The Periodic Table of Elements

Click on the last element on the periodic table of elements.

Yes! The element with the atomic number of 118, oganesson, is the last element on the periodic table.It was first synthesized in a lab in the year 2002.

The Periodic Table of Elements

How many known elements (kinds of atoms) exist?

103

18

118

Correct! There are 118 known elements.Each of these elements has unique properties. For example, gold (atomic number 79 with a symbol Au), is a shiny yellow metal that can be easily shaped and bent.

The Periodic Table of Elements

These pure gold bars are made of only gold (Au) atoms.

Click on the symbol for gold on the periodic table of elements.

Lithium (atomic #3 and symbol Li) is another kind of metal but is silvery, very light, and very reactive!Lithium is used in batteries.

The Periodic Table of Elements

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

This lithium sample is kept in oil so that it does not react with air.

Click on the symbol for lithium on the periodic table of elements.

Neon (atomic #10 and symbol Ne) is a noble gas that glows red-orange when it's placed in a vacuum sealed tube that electricity passes through.

The Periodic Table of Elements

Neon gas glows red-orange in neon signs. When other noble gases are used, the signs can glow different colors!

Click on the symbol for neon on the periodic table of elements.

Bromine (atomic #35 and symbol Br) is a reddish-brown liquid.

The Periodic Table of Elements

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bromine (Br) is one of only two elements that are normally a liquid. You can see their symbols written in red on the periodic table. The other liquid element is mercury (Hg).

Click on the symbol for bromine on the periodic table of elements.

As you can see, the different kinds of atoms each have their own unique properties!

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Neon (Ne) Atoms

Bromine (Br) Atoms

Gold (Au) Atoms

Lithium (Li) Atoms

Click on the element that is a silvery and very reactive metal to continue.

But WHY???

The unique properties of each element are determined by three types of particles that are within each of the element's atoms. Let's start with protons!

A proton is a postively charged particle that stays in the very center (the nucleus) of the atom.

Click on the proton in the atom.

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Protons are SUPER important because they determine which of the 118 elements an atom is! The number of protons in an atom is the same as the atomic number of an element.

Hydrogen Atom

Every hydrogen atom has _______ proton(s) in its nucleus.

many

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Your response was not correct. That's okay! This is an opportunity to learn! Keep in mind, the number in the upper left corner of each box on the periodic table is the atomic number of that element. That number is equal to the number of protons in EVERY atom of that element

Hydrogen Atom

Click here to try again.

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

That's right! All hydrogen atoms have exactly 1 proton.

Which element has 2 protons in the nucleus of each atom?

lithium

helium

hydrogen

He

Li

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Your response is not correct. This is a great chance to learn! In the upper left corner of the box for each element is that element's atomic number. That number is equal to the number of protons in every atom of that element.

Click here to try again.

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Yes! All helium atoms have 2 protons!

How many protons does a carbon (C) atom have in its nucleus?

14

10

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Your respose is not correct. This is a perfect opportunity to learn! Check out the number in the upper left corner of the box for carbon (C). That is carbon's atomic number and is equal to the number of protons in every carbon atom's nucleus!

Click here to try again.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

You got it! Since carbon's atomic # is 6, we know that all carbon atoms have 6 protons.

Carbon

Atomic # 6

But- protons aren't the only particles that can be found in the nucleus! A neutron, a particle that has NO charge, can also be found in the nucleus of an atom.

Click on the neutron to add neutrons to this carbon atom.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

6 protons and 7 neutrons stick together to form the nucleus of this carbon atom.

Carbon

The nucleus contains all the significant mass of an atom.

The mass number of an atom is the total number of its protons and neutrons. What is the mass number of the carbon atom above?

13

20

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Your response is not correct. That's okay! You can get this! To find the mass number of an atom, add together the number of protons and neutrons. Another way to do it is to just count up the total number of particles in the atom's nucleus.

Carbon

The nucleus contains all the significant mass of an atom.

Click here to try again.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Yes! A carbon always has 6 protons....and if it has 7 neutrons, its mass number is 13.

Carbon

What is the mass number of the carbon atom above if a neutron is added, giving it 6 protons and 8 neutrons.

14

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Your response is not correct. That's okay! You can get this! To find the mass number of an atom, add together the number of protons and neutrons. Another way to do it is to just count up the total number of particles in the atom's nucleus.

Carbon

Click here to try again.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

Carbon

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Yes! A carbon always has 6 protons....and if it has 8 neutrons, its mass number is 14.

Lithium

Carbon

What is the mass number of the lithium atom above?

14

hydrogen

lithium

helium

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Your response is not correct. That's okay! You can get this! To find the mass number of an atom, add together the number of protons and neutrons. Another way to do it is to just count up the total number of particles in the atom's nucleus.

Lithium

Click here to try again.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

Carbon

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

Yep! A lithium atom always has 3 protons....and if it has 4 neutrons, its mass number is 7.

Lithium

Boron

mass number = 11

Boron

Boron is atomic # 5

How many neutrons are in a boron atom with a mass number of 11?

11

14

hydrogen

lithium

helium

Carbon

To understand why each element has the properties that it does, we need to understand the composition (what makes up) atoms. Let's start with protons!

Hydrogen Atom

This one is tricky! You start with the mass number, which is the total number of particles in the nucleus. If you subtract the number of protons (which is the element's atomic number), you will be left with the number of neutrons in the atom.

Boron is atomic # 5

Boron

Boron

mass number = 11

Click here to try again.

hydrogen

helium

Carbon

Hydrogen Atom

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Now let's add one more important particle to the atom....the electron!

Boron

Electrons have no significant mass. But, they do have a negative charge.

Click on the electron to add electrons to the boron atom.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

Hydrogen Atom

Great! 5 electrons have been added to this boron atom.

Boron

The electrons of an atom have a negative charge that balances the positive charge of the protons in the atomic nucleus.

Hydrogen Atom

Great! 5 electrons have been added to this boron atom.

Boron

In this model of the atom the rings represent different energy levels where electrons are located. Only 2 electrons can fit into the first energy level (the level closest to the nucleus) and up to 8 electrons can fit into the second energy level.

First Energy Level

Second Energy Level

As you can see, 2 electrons are in the first energy level in the model above. How many electrons are in the second energy level?

Hydrogen Atom

Great! 5 electrons have been added to this boron atom.

Boron

In this model of the atom the rings represent different energy levels where electrons are located. Only 2 electrons can fit into the first energy level (the level closest to the nucleus) and up to 8 electrons can fit into the second energy level.

First Energy Level

Second Energy Level

As you can see, 2 electrons are in the first energy level in the model above. How many electrons are in the second energy level?

Carbon

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Hydrogen Atom

This boron atom now has 5 protons and 5 electrons.

Boron

Each electron has a charge of -1, which is equal but opposite to the +1 charge of a proton.

This boron atom is a neutral atom because the number of protons and electrons is equal.

net charge = 0

Charge= 0

A neutral atom has __________ number of protons and electrons.

a big

an equal

an unequal

hydrogen

lithium

helium

If we add one more electron to this boron atom, it is no longer a neutral atom.

Boron

Instead, this boron atom is an ion with a charge of -1 because it has one more electron than it has protons.

The charges are not balanced. There's one more negative electron than positive protons.

net charge = -1

An ion is an atom with ______ number of protons and electrons.

a big

an equal

an unequal

hydrogen

lithium

helium

Hydrogen Atom

Yes! An ion is an atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons.

If an atom has more electrons than protons, it is a negative ion (sometimes called an anion).

Boron

If an atom has more protons than electrons, it is a positive ion (sometimes called a cation).

The charges are not balanced. There are three more positive protons than negative electrons.

charge = +3

What is the charge of this boron atom now that it has only two electrons?

+3

+2

-2

-3

Hint: How many MORE positive protons are there than negative electrons?

Hydrogen Atom

Yes! An ion is an atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons.

Your response is not correct. That's okay! Try thinking about it a different way! The # of protons - The # of electrons = Net Charge

Boron

5 protons - 2 electrons = + 3 charge

Click here to try again.

# of protons - # electrons = charge

5 protons - 6 electrons = -1 This boron atom is an ion with a charge of -1.

Carbon

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Hydrogen Atom

Boron

That's right. An atom with 5 protons and 2 electrons has a net charge of +3 because it has 3 more protons than electrons.

Now let's put it all together.

Boron

Which element is shown in the atom model?

lithium

He

Li

Be

Hydrogen

Helium

Lithium

Beryllium

Boron

Carbon

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Your response is not correct. Think about this carefully and you can do it! The atomic number (in the upper left corner of the box with the element symbol) is equal to the number of PROTONS in any atom of that element. For example, all nitrogen atoms have 7 protons.

Nitrogen

Click here to try again.

Hydrogen Atom

Boron

Yes! Because this atom has 4 protons, it must be atomic #4, beryllium!

Beryllium

What is the mass number of the beryllium atom shown?

10

Boron

Your response is not correct. This is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of mass number! Remember, the mass number is the total number of protons (+) and neutrons (N). Just count of the number of particles in the nucleus and you have the mass number! Note: Do not count the electrons. The do not significantly contribute to an atom's mass.

Beryllium

Click here to try again.

You got it! This beryllium atom has a mass number of 9 because it has 4 protons and 5 neutrons.

Beryllium

What is the net charge of the beryllium atom shown?

+4

+1

-1

-2

-3

+3

+2

Your response is not correct. This is a great opportunity to gain an understanding of net charge! To determine the net charge of an atom, compare the number of positive protons and negative electrons. The atom is neutral (net charge = 0) if every proton is balanced by an electron. If the atom has more electrons than protons, it is a negative ion with a net charge equal to the number of unbalanced electrons. If the atom has more protons than electrons, the atom is a positive ion with a net charge equal to the number of unbalanced protons Net charge= # of protons - # of electrons

Charge= -2

Charge= 0 (neutral)

Charge= +1

Click here to try again.

You got it! This beryllium atom has a mass number of 9 because it has 4 protons and 5 neutrons.

Beryllium

What is the net charge of the beryllium atom shown?

+4

+1

-1

-2

-3

+3

+2

Nice work! You have correctly determined that this beryllium atom has a mass number of 9 and a +2 charge.

Beryllium

Click on the model of the beryllium atom.

Now that you know how to determine the identity, mass number, and charge of an atom, you are ready for the next lesson

In the next lesson, you will learn how the arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons affects the properties of an element!

Lithium (Li)

Neon (Ne)

Gold (Au)

Bromine (Br) Atoms

Click on the reddish-brown liquid to continue.

Great work on this lesson! In the next lesson, you will apply your understanding of protons, neutrons, and electrons to learn more about the properties of different elements!

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

W. Oelen, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Lithium (Li)

Neon (Ne)

Gold (Au)

Bromine (Br) Atoms

If requested by your teacher...

Click here to continue to an atoms simulation.

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Virtual Science Teachers

# of protons - # electrons = charge

5 protons - 6 electrons = -1 This boron atom is an ion with a charge of -1.

Carbon

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Hydrogen Atom

Boron

The number of electrons an atom loses or gains affects how it reacts with other atoms and forms molecules.

For example, sodium gives one electron to chlorine to form table salt (NaCl).

Na

I'm about to lose an electron.

Cl

Are you sure???

I'm positive.

Woah. You weren't kidding.

Cl

Na

Lithium

Magnified sodium chloride (NaCl) ....also known as table salt.

This will be covered more in future lesson! Click on the magnified salt (NaCl) crystals to continue.

hydrogen

lithium

helium

# of protons - # electrons = charge

5 protons - 6 electrons = -1 This boron atom is an ion with a charge of -1.

Carbon

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Hydrogen Atom

The arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons in any atom affects its properties such as color and shininess, its density, its state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas), how it interacts with other atoms, and so much more!

Lithium (Li)

Neon (Ne)

Gold (Au)

Bromine (Br) Atoms

Lithium

lithium

# of protons - # electrons = charge

5 protons - 6 electrons = -1 This boron atom is an ion with a charge of -1.

Carbon

You got it! A boron atom with a mass number of 11 has 5 protons and 6 neutrons.

Hydrogen Atom

Boron

The arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons in any atom affects its properties such as color and shininess, its density, its state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas), how it interacts with other atoms, and so much more!

Lithium

Lithium (Li)

Neon (Ne)

Bromine (Br) Atoms

Gold (Au)

hydrogen

lithium

helium

The unique properties of any element are a result of the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons it has.

Neon (Ne) Atoms

Bromine (Br) Atoms

Gold (Au) Atoms

Lithium (Li) Atoms

The simulation page might take a few moments to load. When it does, click on the "Atom" simulation.

Metals

Alkali Metals

Noble Gases

Alkaline Earth Metals

Metalloids

Period

Halogens

Solid

Liquid

Transition Metals

Gas

*Click on images of elements for image attribution.

Lanthanides

Actinides

Your response is not correct. Click anywhere to try again.

A wrong answer provides a great opportunity to learn something new!

You've got grit!Keep working hard!

Review the page. The answer is often on the page somewhere.