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
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title |
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Authors | Level | Type |
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Build an Atom |
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Emily Moore, Ariel Paul, Trish Loeblein, Kathy Perkins | MS | Guided HW Lab |
Build an Atom - Clicker Questions |
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Yuen-ying Carpenter, Robert Parson, Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro | MC |
Build an Atom - Guided-Inquiry Activity |
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Timothy Herzog, Emily Moore | UG-Intro | Guided |
Atomic Addition |
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Mary Burr | MS | Discuss Guided |
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What is an atom? |
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Shari Dunham | UG-Intro HS |
Guided | |
PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
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Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | |
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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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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