The Elements and Atoms

A look at the Periodic Table, Matter, and Subatomic Particles

Systems of Life• Life as we know it is made of systems, with each

system having a smaller system inside it, and so on• Universe>Galaxy>Solar

System>Earth>Continent>Country>etc.• Similar to the matryoshka, a popular Russian doll

The Smaller Big Picture• All the things we see are composed of matter, one of

the smallest systems• However, matter is made up of atoms• And atoms are even made up of subatomic particles• How do we go about understanding something so

small?• We go piece by piece, starting with matter

States of Matter• Matter makes up everything we see• It has three different states

Solid Liquid Gas

Molecules Matter Too• Matter forms three different states based on the movement of

the molecules its composed of• A molecule is defined as a group of atoms bonded together• The speed and bond strength of groups of molecules defines

the state of the matter• Slow molecules with strong bonds make solids• Slightly faster molecules with loose, fluid bonds make liquids• Fast-moving molecules with extremely weak bonds make

gases• Matter can change states through the addition and

subtraction of heat, such as freezing water or melting ice

Molecules and Atoms• As stated before, molecules are groups of atoms

bonded together• An atom is defined as the basic unit of a chemical

element• The structure of an atom is composed of three

subatomic particles• Protons• Neutrons• Electrons

• However, scientists didn’t always know that• The theory of the structure of atoms has evolved over

history

History of the Atomic Theory• A short video

Subatomic Particles• The structure of atoms are made up of protons,

neutrons, and electrons• The nucleus of the atom is made of protons and

neutrons, with electrons orbiting the nucleus• Each subatomic particle has a charge• Protons are positively charged• Electrons are negatively charged• Neutrons have no charge, or are neutrally charged

Subatomic Particles and Elements• The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of

an atom determines the element that atom represents• The number of electrons an atom has determines the

charge of the element• The organization of elements based on their number of protons and neutrons is how the Periodic Table of Elements works

• The Periodic Table is structured in rows (left to right) and columns (up and down)

• Elements are organized based on a number of trends• Number of protons

and neutrons• State of the element

(solid, liquid, gas)• Charge of the

element• Elemental group• Atomic Radius• Electronegativity

• Each element is represented within a square, which has information about each element, such as• Atomic Number• Atomic Symbol• Atomic Name• Atomic Mass

(measured in grams per mole)

• Electron Configuration (in some tables)

• With practice, the Periodic Table can become the most resourceful tool in Chemistry studies

DiscussionThese questions are in-class discussion that will be turned in at the end of the period• Using your Periodic Table, find the element Lead and list its

atomic symbol, atomic mass, and periodic group it belongs to.• With your current understanding of matter and subatomic

particles, why do you think that the increase or decrease of temperature can cause a change in a state of matter?• If particles in solid matter have space between them, although

extremely small, why do solid things appear solid? Why can’t we eventually pass our hand through a table if we apply enough pressure, like we would with a liquid? Come up with a few ideas, and discuss them with the students around you.

The Assignment• Each student will be assigned an element from the

Periodic Table• You may work in pairs if you wish, but this is not

required• You will be researching information regarding your

assigned element• The information you gather on your element will be

presented to the class on a Project Display Board or Poster Board

Example of Project Display Board

Required Information (Basics)This information is required to be in your presentation• Periodic information of element• Name• Atomic Number• Atomic Mass• Number of protons, neutrons, and electrons• Periodic Group (based on location on Periodic Table)

Required Information (Specifics)

This information will require internet access to find• Picture of your element in its most common state• Year of discovery and by whom• Percent Abundance of element• Common uses of element• If your element has too many common uses to fit on the

display board, you may verbally list them during your presentation time