Quantum Atomic Structure
Initial Publication Date: August 15, 2008
Summary
In this multi-day lesson plan, I give the basic tenets and some good visual resources that can be used to help students to understand how the models of the atom have changed. I start with Democritus over 2000 years ago and end with our current understanding of how quantum mechanics affects the electrons as they orbit the nucleus.
CollapseLearning Goals
1. Illustrate how the scientific process develops ideas over time and how the advent of new data and interpretations of those data can change theories.
2. Understand the basic quantum structure of the atom, specifically in regards to atomic energy levels
Key Concepts: How models of atomic structure have evolved. What are energy levels and what do they have to do with atomic spectra. What is a photon of energy. How can electrons act as both particles and waves. Using Electron Configurations to describe bonding.
2. Understand the basic quantum structure of the atom, specifically in regards to atomic energy levels
Key Concepts: How models of atomic structure have evolved. What are energy levels and what do they have to do with atomic spectra. What is a photon of energy. How can electrons act as both particles and waves. Using Electron Configurations to describe bonding.
Context for Use
This is for high school chemistry or physics students. It is mostly lecture based with a few demos, video segments from Youtube, and some open-ended questioning.
Description and Teaching Materials
This is mostly a lecture-based lesson. Students will be asked some questions after viewing simulations and also have some time to play on an applet that demonstrates orbital shell shapes. Instructors will mostly need a projector for viewing video segments and some computers for a few activities. Daily outline I have used (Microsoft Word 83kB Aug15 08) double slit experiment video from you-tube: "Dr. Qunatum" ( 26.7MB Aug15 08)
Teaching Notes and Tips
There are lots of areas of confusion (Quantum Mechanics tends to do this).
One thing of note with the orbital view applet. if your students change the number of "pixels" to be too high, your computer will take a long time to create the picture.
Another possible resource is from the movie that the video clip comes from, I think its title is, "Down the Rabbit Hole. What the Bleep Do We Know?"
One thing of note with the orbital view applet. if your students change the number of "pixels" to be too high, your computer will take a long time to create the picture.
Another possible resource is from the movie that the video clip comes from, I think its title is, "Down the Rabbit Hole. What the Bleep Do We Know?"
Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »
Assessment
I assess the opening and closing questions on a weekly basis. Students write these on a sheet of paper and turn the weeks questions in on Friday or Monday.
I also give quick concept quizzes to see if students are catching on.
I also give quick concept quizzes to see if students are catching on.
Standards
9-12.I.D.1 - tracing scientific developments
9-12.II.A.1 - components of atoms
9-12.II.A.1 - components of atoms