What are some examples of matter?

Examples of matter include any solids, liquids or gases. A ball, water and oxygen are all examples of matter. Examples of things that are NOT matter would be ideas, energy and feelings.

Where are atoms found?

Atoms are found everywhere. All matter is made up of atoms.

If atoms are so tiny, how do we know they exist?

Scientists have invented special microscopes to help us see atoms. Before the microscopes were invented, scientists did experiments to learn about the structure of an atom.

What is an atom made of?

Atoms are made up of 3 different smaller particles; protons, neutrons and electrons.

What makes elements different from each other?

Each element has a certain number of protons, electrons and neutrons. For example, carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons and 6 neutrons. Oxygen has 8 protons, 8 electrons and 8 neutrons.

What is the Periodic Table of Elements?

The Periodic Table of Elements is a big chart that lists all the elements that have been discovered so far. It gives us a lot of information about the elements like the name, symbol as well as its atomic structure and reactivity.

What would you see if you looked at iron filings with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope?

Since the Scanning Tunneling Microscope is so powerful, you would see tiny spheres which are iron atoms (the smallest possible unit of iron).

Describe the different particles that make up an atom.

An atom is made up of 3 particles; protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons are positively charged and are positioned in the center of an atom. Neutrons are not charged and are also located in the center of an atom. Electrons orbit the center very quickly and are negatively charged.

What are some examples of elements? How do you know they are elements?

Some examples of elements are gold, iron, copper and carbon. Anything on the periodic table is an element. All elements are pure substance made up of only one type of atom.

How can you use the Periodic Table of Elements to help you find information about specific elements?

The Periodic Table of Elements shows the names and abbreviations for each element. It also tells you how many protons, neutrons and electrons each atom has. The atomic number of each element corresponds with how many protons and electrons an element has. We cover more details about the periodic table in our lesson called “The Periodic Table.”

How did scientists conclude that most of an atom is empty space?

In 1908, Ernest Rutherford did an experiment where he shot beams of radiation through gold foil which is made up of gold atoms. Most of the radiation went right through the gold foil, while only a tiny fraction of the beams bounced back. This supports the atomic model with most of the mass at the center with electrons orbiting far away from it.

What are some different careers available for people that want to study atoms and molecules?

Scientists in the medical field use molecules on a regular basis to develop new medicines to help fight diseases. Specifically, biomedical scientists may be able to replicate naturally occurring molecules to help people with deficiencies.

Atoms & Molecules

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WHAT IS ATOMIC STRUCTURE?

All atoms are made of three smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons and neutrons clump together at the center of an atom and the electrons orbit far away. Atoms can be combined to form molecules through chemical reactions.

To better understand atomic structure…

WHAT IS ATOMIC STRUCTURE?. All atoms are made of three smaller particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. The protons and neutrons clump together at the center of an atom and the electrons orbit far away. Atoms can be combined to form molecules through chemical reactions. To better understand atomic structure…

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Atomic Structure

The center of the atom, often referred to as the nucleus, is made up of protons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged, while the neutrons don’t have a charge. Orbiting around the outside of the atom at a tremendous speed and distance are electrons. Electrons are the smallest of the three subatomic particles and have a negative charge. Empty space is found between the atomic nucleus and electrons.

Atomic Structure The center of the atom, often referred to as the nucleus, is made up of protons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged, while the neutrons don’t have a charge. Orbiting around the outside of the atom at a tremendous speed and distance are electrons. Electrons are the smallest of the three subatomic particles and have a negative charge. Empty space is found between the atomic nucleus and electrons.

Microscopic Atoms

Atoms are extremely small. Atoms are more than 10,000 times smaller than the width of a hair. Even a classroom microscope would not be able to see anything close to the size of an atom. A specialized microscope called a Scanning Tunneling Microscope developed in the 1980s can show us individual atoms. If you were to look at some iron filings with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope, you would be able to see tiny spheres of iron atoms.

Microscopic Atoms Atoms are extremely small. Atoms are more than 10,000 times smaller than the width of a hair. Even a classroom microscope would not be able to see anything close to the size of an atom. A specialized microscope called a Scanning Tunneling Microscope developed in the 1980s can show us individual atoms. If you were to look at some iron filings with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope, you would be able to see tiny spheres of iron atoms.

Identifying Atoms

Each element has a certain number of protons, neutrons and electrons. We can find this information by referencing the Periodic Table of Elements. For example, element number 6 on the table is carbon, which is notated by the letter C. The periodic table also shows us that carbon’s atomic number is 6. The atomic number tells us how many protons and electrons are present in the element. From this information we know that carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons.

Identifying Atoms Each element has a certain number of protons, neutrons and electrons. We can find this information by referencing the Periodic Table of Elements. For example, element number 6 on the table is carbon, which is notated by the letter C. The periodic table also shows us that carbon’s atomic number is 6. The atomic number tells us how many protons and electrons are present in the element. From this information we know that carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons.

Elements and Molecules

Elements can be combined to make molecules. Water for example is H2O. This means that 2 hydrogen atoms are bonded to one oxygen atom. There are endless combinations of atoms that make up all of matter. Some are simple like water, while others are much more complicated such as hemoglobin. A sucrose molecule, what you know as table sugar, is made up of 12 atoms of carbon, 22 atoms of hydrogen, and 11 atoms of oxygen. Sucrose can be written in a shorthand notation like this: C12H22O11.

Elements and Molecules Elements can be combined to make molecules. Water for example is H2O. This means that 2 hydrogen atoms are bonded to one oxygen atom. There are endless combinations of atoms that make up all of matter. Some are simple like water, while others are much more complicated such as hemoglobin. A sucrose molecule, what you know as table sugar, is made up of 12 atoms of carbon, 22 atoms of hydrogen, and 11 atoms of oxygen. Sucrose can be written in a shorthand notation like this: C12H22O11.

Careers in Chemistry

The main field of science that studies atoms and molecules is called chemistry. Chemists use their knowledge of atoms to create molecules that can be used as medicines. In order to make molecules, they need to know which ones react together and which order to react them in. Other types of scientists like biochemists study huge molecules made by nature such as proteins and DNA. The production of insulin molecules to treat diabetes was made possible by the work of biochemists.

Careers in Chemistry The main field of science that studies atoms and molecules is called chemistry. Chemists use their knowledge of atoms to create molecules that can be used as medicines. In order to make molecules, they need to know which ones react together and which order to react them in. Other types of scientists like biochemists study huge molecules made by nature such as proteins and DNA. The production of insulin molecules to treat diabetes was made possible by the work of biochemists.

Atoms & Molecules

Discussion Questions

Vocabulary

Reading Material

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

Atomic Structure

Microscopic Atoms

Identifying Atoms

Elements and Molecules

Careers in Chemistry

DIY Activity Guide

Teacher Resources

Lesson Plan

Teacher Guide

Assessment

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