Build an Atom
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Original Sim and Translations |
About
Topics
- Atoms
- Atomic Structure
- Isotope Symbols
- Atomic Nuclei
Description
Build an atom out of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and see how the element, charge, and mass change. Then play a game to test your ideas!
Sample Learning Goals
- Use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of the atom, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge.
- Predict how addition or subtraction of a proton, neutron, or electron will change the element, the charge, and the mass.
- Use the element name, mass, and charge to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Define proton, neutron, electron, atom, and ion.
- Generate an isotopic symbol for an atom, given the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Keywords
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title | Authors | Level | Type | ||
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Build an Atom | Emily Moore, Ariel Paul, Trish Loeblein, Kathy Perkins | MS | Guided HW Lab |
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Build an Atom - Clicker Questions | Yuen-ying Carpenter, Robert Parson, Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro | MC | ||
Build an Atom - Guided-Inquiry Activity | Timothy Herzog, Emily Moore | UG-Intro | Guided | ||
Atomic Addition | Mary Burr | MS | Discuss Guided |
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What is an atom? | Shari Dunham | UG-Intro HS |
Guided | ||
PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum | Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | ||
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? | Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | ||
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS | Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | ||
Investigating Ions | Emily Bones | HS | Guided | ||
Build an Atom Student Worksheet | Judy Rieke | MS HS |
Guided |
Browse more activities.
Related Simulations
Software Requirements
Windows 7+ | Mac OS 10.7+ | iPad and iPad Mini with iOS | Chromebook with Chrome OS |
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Internet Explorer 10+ latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
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Safari 6.1 and up latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
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latest version of Safari
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latest version of Chrome
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Credits
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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