Atoms

Topic: Comparing the size of atoms

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to compare the size of atoms and understand how they are much smaller than even the smallest molecules.

Materials

• Whiteboard or blackboard
• Markers or chalk
• Images of atoms and molecules (optional)

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever heard of atoms before. What do they know about atoms?
• Write the word "ATOM" on the board and ask students to think of a word that has the same meaning as atom. Allow them to volunteer their ideas and write them on the board.
• Ask students if they have ever heard of molecules before. What do they know about molecules?
• Write the word "MOLECULE" on the board and ask students to think of a word that has the same meaning as molecule. Allow them to volunteer their ideas and write them on the board.

Direct Instruction

• Explain to students that atoms are the smallest unit of a chemical element, and that they are the building blocks of all matter.
• Show students a variety of objects, such as a pencil, marble, and eraser, and ask them to name the materials that the objects are made of.
• Have students identify the name of the chemical elements that make up each object, and then have them cut out a picture of an atom from a magazine to glue onto the object.
• Next, explain to students that molecules are made up of two or more atoms bound together.
• Show students a chart or diagram of the chemical formula for a simple molecule, such as H2O (water), and have them identify the atoms that are bonded together.
• Have students cut out pictures of molecules from magazines to glue onto the object.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs or small groups to cut out and glue together atoms and molecules onto the objects.
• As a class, discuss the differences in the sizes of the atoms and molecules on the objects.
• Encourage students to think about the relationships between the size of the atoms and the properties of the objects (e.g. a smaller atom makes a harder object).

Independent Practice:

• Have students draw and color in their own objects and add atoms and molecules to represent the properties of the objects.
• Encourage students to label the atoms and molecules on their objects and explain their color choices.

Closure:

• Review the size of atoms compared to other objects and molecules.
• Ask students to share any interesting observations or findings they had while completing the project.

Assessment:

• Observe student groups during the modeling activity and provide feedback on their understanding of the size of atoms.
• Review the models created by each group and assess understanding of the relative size of atoms and molecules.
• Evaluate the posters created by each group and assess understanding of the differences and similarities between the atoms and molecules.