Build an Atom

Learning Intentions

  • To understand how protons, neutrons, and electrons make up an atom.

Please go to the PhET Build an Atom simulation.

To create an ion from an atom, we want the outer shell of electrons to be full. If the outer shell is less than half full, the atom will form an ion by losing electrons. If the outer shell is more than half full, the atom will form an ion by gaining electrons.

For each of the

  1. Create a neutral, stable lithium atom. What is the charge of the atom?
  2. Create a stable lithium ion. What is the charge of the ion?
  3. Create a neutral, stable beryllium atom.What is the charge of the atom?
  4. Create a stable beryllium ion. What is the charge of the ion?
  5. Create a neutral, stable oxygen atom.What is the charge of the atom?
  6. Create a stable oxygen ion. What is the charge of the ion?
  7. Create a neutral, stable fluorine atom. What is the charge of the atom?
  8. Create a stable fluorine ion. What is the charge of the ion?
  9. Create a neutral, stable neon atom. What is the charge of the atom?
  10. Create a stable neon ion. What is the charge of the ion?
  11. Look at the pattern of the charges of the ions. How could you determine the charge of some atoms' ions by looking at the periodic table?
  12. Create a neutral, stable hydrogen atom.
    1. Create a stable hydrogen ion. What is the charge?
    2. There is something very special about how hydrogen forms ions. What is it?