Chemistry

CHM/110 v8

PhET Observation Guide: Build an Atom

CHM/110 v8

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PhET Observation Guide: Build an Atom

Use this guide to help you complete the PhET simulation: Build an Atom.

Simulation

Visit the Build an Atom simulation and then complete the following steps.

Click the play button on the first page of the simulation.

Click on the Atom icon from the Build an Atom home screen.

1. You will arrive at this page.

Click and drag 1 proton into the nucleus, which is marked by the X. What element is created by adding 1 proton?

Add 4 more protons so that there are 5 total protons in the nucleus. What element is created when there are 5 protons?

Predict the stability of your element. Next click the radio button next to Stable/Unstable to see if your prediction was correct. What did you predict? What does the stable/unstable box show?

Click on the Net Charge + sign.

The Net Charge box will expand. Next, begin adding electrons to the diagram.

Add electrons to the diagram until the net charge becomes 0. How many electrons were added to reach a net charge of 0?

Add neutrons until your created element becomes stable. How many neutrons were added to create a stable atom?

You now have 5 protons, 5 neutrons, and 5 electrons. What type of atom have you created?

Now it is your turn to have some fun! Build an atom of your choice. How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in your atom? What is the name of the atom you created? Record your findings:

Number of protons:

Number of neutrons:

Number of electrons:

Name of atoms:

Connecting Ideas

Now that you have explored atoms, protons, and neutrons, let’s think about how these ideas support some chemistry concepts.

The learning goal for this week is: Classify matter, including its physical and chemical properties, the structure of atoms, and the relationships between elements as organized in the Periodic Table of Elements. Use what you know about the learning goal and respond to the following prompts:

· Identify which parts of the learning goal you explored in this PhET observation guide.

· Which parts of the learning goal were not addressed in this observation guide?

· In 2-3 sentences, explain what you learned about the structure of atoms from this observation guide.

· In 2-3 sentences, explain what you learned about the relationships between elements as organized in the period table. (If you are unsure, return to the PhET simulation and look for patterns as you build different atoms.)

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Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.