

PhET Activity for MS-PS1-1: Build a molecule
Passage
•
Science
•
6th Grade
•
Hard
Wayground Simulations
FREE Resource
14 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
3 mins • Ungraded
DIRECTIONS:
1. You should be on the simulation's starting screen, which presents three modes.
2. Click on the 'Single' mode button on the left side of the screen to begin.
3. Observe the layout. You will see atom bins at the bottom, a workspace in the middle, and a 'Your Molecules' panel on the right.
Spend 2-3 minutes exploring the simulation. Drag different atoms from the bins into the workspace. Try snapping them together and pulling them apart. Don't worry about building anything specific yet, just get a feel for the controls.
QUESTION: Are you acquainted with the tools in this simulation?
Yes
No
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure you are in 'Single' mode, Collection 1.
2. Drag two Hydrogen (H) atoms from the bin at the bottom into the workspace.
3. Snap the two Hydrogen atoms together until they form a molecule and it appears in the 'Your Molecules' panel on the right.
QUESTION: A molecule of hydrogen (H₂) is made of:
Answer explanation
Correct. The formula H₂ indicates that the molecule is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded together.
3.
FILL IN THE BLANKS QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click orange reset button.
2. In the workspace, drag two Hydrogen (H) atoms and one Oxygen (O) atom from the bins.
3. Arrange and snap the atoms together to form a water molecule. Then move it to the 'Your Molecules' panel when correct.
QUESTION: The chemical formula for water is H₂O. This means it is made of ___ hydrogen atom(s) and ___ oxygen atom(s).
(a)
Answer explanation
2, 1
4.
OPEN ENDED QUESTION
3 mins • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Locate the water molecule (H₂O) in your collection panel on the right.
2. Click the '3D' button that appears next to its name.
3. In the pop-up window, click and drag the molecule to rotate it.
QUESTION: Describe the shape of the water molecule you are observing in the 3D view. Is it a straight line or is it bent? Why do you think it has this shape?
Evaluate responses using AI:
OFF
Answer explanation
A good answer should state that the water molecule has a 'bent' or 'V' shape. The two hydrogen atoms are attached to the central oxygen atom at an angle, not in a straight line. This shape is due to the arrangement of electrons, though students may simply describe the visual appearance.
5.
DROPDOWN QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Click the 'X' in the top right of the 3D view window to close it.
2. Drag two Oxygen (O) atoms into the workspace and snap them together to form a molecule of oxygen (O₂).
QUESTION: Both hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) molecules are composed of (a) .
Answer explanation
The correct option is 'two atoms of the same element'. Molecules like H₂ and O₂, made of two atoms, are called diatomic molecules.
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. In the atom bins at the bottom, click the right arrow to find the Carbon (C) atom bin.
2. Drag one Carbon (C) atom and two Oxygen (O) atoms into the workspace.
3. Snap the atoms together to form a carbon dioxide molecule (CO₂).
QUESTION: How many total atoms are in one molecule of carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
Answer explanation
Correct. Carbon dioxide has one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, for a total of three atoms.
7.
OPEN ENDED QUESTION
3 mins • 1 pt
DIRECTIONS:
1. In your collection panel, click the '3D' button next to carbon dioxide (CO₂).
2. Rotate the model and observe its shape.
QUESTION: How is the shape of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) molecule different from the water (H₂O) molecule? Describe the arrangement of atoms in CO₂.
Evaluate responses using AI:
OFF
Answer explanation
A good answer will state that the carbon dioxide molecule is linear (a straight line), with the carbon atom in the center and the two oxygen atoms on opposite sides. This is different from the water molecule, which is bent.
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