Teaching Resources

Structure de l’Atome: du Noyau à la Configuration Électronique

Ostralo.net

July 2010

Online animation

Basic

Peer education

Fundamental Chemistry, History of Chemistry

Lower Secondary School

French

No

Prerequisites
This animation is a simple introduction to the atom: history and configuration. Before using it, students should only know that the atom is made of a nucleus including neutrons and protons and electrons turning on external shells.
Contents
The first page shows a basic timeline (without animation) on chemistry discoveries from Dalton to Chadwick.
The second tab is a simple animation showing the link between the chemical element (represented by its atomic symbol e.g. iron Fe) and the number of protons and neutrons. The student can change the number of protons and / or the number of neutrons. The symbol of the element is modified accordingly, starting from the hydrogen element.
The third tab is a diagram of the electronic configuration of the atom. The number of protons and electrons can be increased or decreased. This modification changes the electronic configuration and the atomic symbol is adapted subsequently.
The aims
The aim of the first tab is to show that the discovery of the atom configuration is quite recent (starting at the beginning of the 19th century). It is also to show the discovery of the different parts, step by step: the atom, the electrons, the nucleus, the protons, the shells and the neutrons.
However, the main goal is to give an introduction to the atom configuration (the electrons and the nucleus with protons and neutrons).
Task Description
The task of the student is to change the number of protons, neutrons and electrons and see the effect on the representation of the atom and the existing element.
How to use it in class
This animation can easily be used in a classroom to show the link between the number of neutrons, protons and electrons. It is also useful to show the “rule” for the electronic configuration of the first 18 elements (2:8:8).

Points of strength
The second tab shows in a lively way the link between the number of protons and neutrons and the existing elements. It is a more attracting way to show the atomic number and the mass number than simply describing the periodic table.
The third tab is even more useful as it shows the electronic configuration and the link with the number of protons and electrons.
Points of weakness
The first tab could be improved by adding some animations. Very simple animations could be added like building the timeline step by step while clicking on specific icons. More sophisticated animations could also be included about the experiments leading to the main discoveries.
Scientific reliability
The link between the number of particles (protons, electrons and neutrons) and the symbol of the element seems to be correct.
Pedagogic value
The link between the atomic number, the mass number, the electronic configuration and the existing elements is not obvious to students. By showing it in an animated way, it could help their understanding.

Collège Ste Véronique