PhET
Isotopes and Atomic Mass
Some isotopes are unstable, or radioactive, meaning they will decay over time and turn into another isotope or stable element. In the interactive simulation, participants manipulate elements to create isotopes and gather information....
Curated OER
Atomic Musical Chairs
An engaging activity enlightens young chemists in this lesson on atomic structure. They play musical chairs through a series of concentric circles that represent electon orbitals. A laundry basket in the middle holds the protons and...
Curated OER
The Atoms Family ~ Atomic Math Challenge
Bold boxes present parts of the periodic table, with some of the contents conveniently missing. Beginning chemists fill in the blanks, which may include the atomic number, atomic mass, atomic symbol, or element name. Beneath each box...
Curated OER
2009 U. S. National Chemistry Olympiad - Local Section Exam
Here is a copy of a past national challenge exam that you can use in your general chemistry course as a unit or semester review. Sixty multiple-choice questions query learners on properties of matter, stoichiometry, reactions, and...
American Institute of Physics
African Americans and the Manhattan Project
A lesson about the Manhattan Project will explode young physicists' understanding of the racial attitudes in the United States during and after World war II. Groups select an African American scientist or technician that worked on the...
Pingry School
The Periodic Law
Time to put the knowledge to the test! Young scholars take what they know about the periodic table and build their own from scratch. Using clues from 26 different elements, they place elements in a blank periodic table. The clues include...
Pingry School
Isotopes and Atomic Mass – Determination of the Average Atomic Mass of Pastium
Sometimes modeling is the best approach to working with microscopic particles. A lab investigation models a fictional element using pasta. The setup uses three different pasta types to represent three different isotopes. Learners...
Kenan Fellows
Isotopic Pennies
Many people confuse atomic mass and atomic numbers. The sixth of seven lessons in a unit requires scholars to find the weight of different groups of pennies. Then, they must solve how many of each type of penny exists in a closed system...
Kenan Fellows
Determining the Atomic Mass of Elements in a Compound Using Matrices
Scholars apply concepts learned in both Algebra II and Chemistry to answer the questions on the provided worksheet. The activity allows for extra practice in both classes and helps connect concepts usually taught in isolation. The...
Cornell University
Isotope Rummy
Thanks to this game, teaching isotopes will never be the same. Physical science scholars work their way toward understanding isotopes in an entertaining game. Pupils play rummy in groups while practicing good sportsmanship and creating...
Concord Consortium
Exploring Electron Properties
Bring a historic chemistry experiment to life in your classroom! Introduce pupils to Thompson's ground-breaking discovery of the electron through a cathode ray simulation. The resource allows users to study the behavior of both electrons...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Mole Concept
Learners explore atomic measurement in the first activity in a series of 36. Through readings, activities, and questions, classes review standard SI units, learn about Avogadro's constant, and use it to help them calculate moles. They...
Science Geek
Atomic Structure
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) was formed in 1919 and was crucial for allowing scientists to discuss findings during the Cold War. A presentation offers an introduction to atomic structure including the...
Mr. Jones's Science Class
Parts of the Atom
Up and atom! After labeling the parts of an atom, young chemists answer 16 diagram-based questions that deal with protons, neutrons, electrons, and atomic number.
Virginia Department of Education
Average Atomic Masses
Facilitate learning by using small objects to teach the principles of atomic mass in your science class. Pupils determine the average mass of varying beans as they perform a series of competitive experiments. They gather data and...
Virginia Department of Education
Isotopes
Lead your class through the amazing world of isotopes as they investigate the various properties they contain and further understand their respective location on the periodic table. They explore half-lives and radioactivity as each...
It's About Time
Atoms and Their Masses
Are atoms too small to be isolated? Answer this question and more as you provide young chemists with the tools to conduct a hands-on activity demonstrating atomic mass. Pupils explore the mass of copper and aluminum, compare Dalton's...
Virginia Department of Education
The Modern Model of Atomic Structure
The difference between atomic mass and atomic number can be confusing for some young chemists. Help your class better understand the concepts by allowing them to sketch an atom on paper and then discuss their experience. Upon completion...
University of Georgia
Bag O' Isotopes
Accommodate your chemistry class with an experiment that is both entertaining and educational. Through the activity, blossoming chemists perform calculations on various isotopes, as represented by beans and legumes, to obtain the average...
Shelby County Schools
Atomic Structure Worksheet
Teaching young scientists about atoms is no small task, but this series of worksheets will make it a little easier. From creating and labeling Bohr models, to identifying information provided in the periodic table of elements, this...
T. Trimpe
Atomic Basics
Get down to basics with these worksheets on the structure of atoms. Challenging young chemists to identify information from the periodic table and create Bohr diagrams and Lewis dot structures for different elements, this resource would...
Curated OER
The Building Blocks
This PowerPoint is a comprehensive review of all the facts related to an atom's basic structure and function. What makes this unique is that it is geared toward an audience of junior geologists. After introducing the periodic table of...
Curated OER
Unit 2 ~ Atomic Structure
As an atomic structure reference and review tool, this handout fits the bill. The first page provides definitions and tables of orbitals, electrons, and energy levels. The second page is an opportunity to practice determining numbers of...
Curated OER
Chapter 2 and 3 Practice Worksheet - Formulas and Compounds
In this formulas and equations activity, chemistry apprentices write the chemical formulas given the names. They calculate percent composition, balance equations, and calculate the mass of a substance present in a fertilizer. This is a...