| Theme | Atom, Periodic Table |
| Category | Experiments for children, Experiments for preschoolers |
| Short description | With this little experiment we want to explain to the little ones what an atom is and how it is formed. In later experiments, once we understand how an atom is formed: with its protons, neutrons in the nucleus and electrons in the shell, we can play with the formation of more familiar molecules. Although it is intended for children, it certainly helps us older children to remember the atomic structure and to have the basis for later understanding the formation of molecules as well as the whole of atomic and nuclear physics. |
STEP-BY-STEP EXPERIMENT
MODEL OF THE ATOM
On this page you can find all the information about the atom: atom.
After the explanation that an atom is the smallest element into which an element can be divided without losing its chemical properties, we are going to see how an atom is made up and play with the model.
ELECTRON: A small negatively charged particle of the atom that has no mass.
NEUTRON: Small particle of the atom that has no charge but has mass
PROTON: A small particle of the atom that is positively charged and has mass.
We print on a piece of paper, normal dyne 4 simply a central circle and an orbit where the electrons will be placed. We have this very simple one, here you can view and print it.
On the other side we print some symbols +,- and 0, which will simulate the 3 particles of the atom. In our case we have printed them on labels that are like stickers, this way it will be easier to stick them on. Otherwise you can use glue.
STEP 1: WE PLAY WITH +, -, 0 LOADS.
On a piece of paper draw circles with positive (+), negative (-) and neutral (0) charges. In this first step, the idea is to understand that a + is neutralised by a - and that the 0 does not intervene. Give him 3 +, 2- and 2 of charge 0 and the game consists of finding out which is the global charge that remains. So with various combinations until it is clear.
STEP 2: WE PLACE THE CHARGES ON A MODEL ATOM.
On a sheet of paper, print out a piece of paper that looks like an atom with 3 layers or shells and a nucleus. You can use this pdf if it helps and print it out: vacuum atom model for children .
It is now a matter of knowing how to place both protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and electrons in the three shells. Only 2 electrons can be placed in the first shell, up to 6 in the second, and 10 in the third.
TECHNICAL EXPLANATION
As an adult, the atom has probably stopped being part of your life a long time ago ;), so here are some concepts to know what the game is about because it will be important in order to understand more and more chemistry or atomic physics. All these concepts are just to know them, not to explain them, because it would not be a game anymore. For more information visit the section: atom y periodic table.
| CONCEPT | WHY IT IS IMPORTANT | |
| 1 | An atom is made up of electrons, protons and neutrons. | It is the basis of atomic structure. |
| 2 | The nucleus of an atom is where all the mass is. In the nucleus are protons and neutrons, both of which have mass. The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, to begin to understand the atom, is the same. (this is not always the case, and the same element can have variations in the number of neutrons (the isotopes)). |
The number of protons is what differentiates one element from another. On the other hand, when there is an imbalance between neutrons and protons in the nucleus, if this is more than 2, the element is radioactive because it becomes unstable. This is the basis of radioactivity. Neutrons in the nucleus are the basis of nuclear energy. |
| 3 | Electrons move in orbits around the atom. In an uncharged element, the number of electrons (-) is equal to the number of protons (+). Atoms lose or gain electrons very easily, at which point the charge becomes + or -, and they combine with other elements. | The loss or gain of electrons is what gives the atom the ability to bond with others, to create different compounds. It is the basis of why some elements combine with others, why sometimes you need two atoms of one element and one of another. |
| 4 | The electrons are in shells or orbits around the nucleus. Each shell can have a certain number of electrons, and once a shell is complete, it moves on to the next one. An atom tends to lose or gain electrons depending on how many electrons are left over or missing to complete the last shell. | This concept explains why some atoms lose electrons, becoming positively charged ions, and why others tend to gain electrons, becoming negatively charged ions. It is the basis of bonding between elements, since one that has "extra" electrons tends to bond with one that lacks them. |
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