Getting to know the atom

Getting to know the atom

7th grade

Physical Science

Mr. Anglada

Why are we studying atoms?

Before the discovery of the mechanisms of chemical reactions, atoms' role in these reactions were unknown. Chemical reactions had been observed by centuries, even studied by experts, without understanding what happens in a chemical reaction mechanically.

Multiple Choice

How did Chemistry as a scientific field started off?

• When studying atoms and gravity fields

• When studying how to turn metals into gold

• It was invented by Albert Einstein

Alchemy

It was a field of study ith the goal of turning lead into gold. Lead is a heavy and toxic metal and they believed it could be turned into the lighter, non-toxic high-valued metal: gold

Alchemy

Turning any metal into gold is practically impossible, we know now. It would be amazing if we could turn any element into another element in our own laboratories. We could turn the oxygen in our air into gold.

Poll

If you had the superpower to turn anything you want into gold, how would you use it?

• To do good

• To get rich

• For evil purposes

Why the obsession with gold?

• Gold is a great conductor of heat and electricity

• Gold is rare and therefore has a high value

• Gold can be mixed with different metals to create strong alloys

• It is highly inert, which means it won't react with almost anything

• Its inertness means it does not rust and can be used as jewelry without the fear of allergic reactions or infections

Transmuting

The belief that this conversion could be done, was called transmuting. It was believed lead could be transmuted into gold.

Poll

Do you think transmutation is possible?

• Yes

• No

It actually is!

At least theoretically, you could turn an element into gold. You can do this by adding a subatomic particle that change the identity of the metal. It has been done, in really small quantities with no practical use.

Multiple Choice

What do you think the red subatomic particle is? (positively charged)

• Neutron

• Proton

• Electron

Parts of the atom

The atom is made up of subatomic particles. Subatomic meaning smaller than the atom itself. It makes sense, right? There are three subatomic particles that we will study

Parts of the atom

• Protons

• Electrons

• Neutrons

Multiple Choice

You an change an element into another element by adding or subtracting its total number of

• protons.

• neutrons.

• electrons.

The number of protons is unique for each element. You can easily find how many protons an element has by looking at their atomic number.

Atomic number and protons

The atomic number of an element is usually on top of the element symbol, and it indicates how many protons it has. For example, Nitrogen has 7 protons, and Oxygen has 8. If you could add one proton to a nitrogen atom, you end up with an atom of oxygen.

Atomic number and protons

Find a periodic table or use the one in Schoology. Fill in the blanks in the table.