Systems of Life• Life as we know it is made of systems, with each
system having a smaller system inside it, and so on• Universe>Galaxy>Solar
System>Earth>Continent>Country>etc.• Similar to the matryoshka, a popular Russian doll
The Smaller Big Picture• All the things we see are composed of matter, one of
the smallest systems• However, matter is made up of atoms• And atoms are even made up of subatomic particles• How do we go about understanding something so
small?• We go piece by piece, starting with matter
Molecules Matter Too• Matter forms three different states based on the movement of
the molecules its composed of• A molecule is defined as a group of atoms bonded together• The speed and bond strength of groups of molecules defines
the state of the matter• Slow molecules with strong bonds make solids• Slightly faster molecules with loose, fluid bonds make liquids• Fast-moving molecules with extremely weak bonds make
gases• Matter can change states through the addition and
subtraction of heat, such as freezing water or melting ice
Molecules and Atoms• As stated before, molecules are groups of atoms
bonded together• An atom is defined as the basic unit of a chemical
element• The structure of an atom is composed of three
subatomic particles• Protons• Neutrons• Electrons
• However, scientists didn’t always know that• The theory of the structure of atoms has evolved over
history
History of the Atomic Theory• A short video
Subatomic Particles• The structure of atoms are made up of protons,
neutrons, and electrons• The nucleus of the atom is made of protons and
neutrons, with electrons orbiting the nucleus• Each subatomic particle has a charge• Protons are positively charged• Electrons are negatively charged• Neutrons have no charge, or are neutrally charged
Subatomic Particles and Elements• The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of
an atom determines the element that atom represents• The number of electrons an atom has determines the
charge of the element• The organization of elements based on their number of protons and neutrons is how the Periodic Table of Elements works
• The Periodic Table is structured in rows (left to right) and columns (up and down)
• Elements are organized based on a number of trends• Number of protons
and neutrons• State of the element
(solid, liquid, gas)• Charge of the
element• Elemental group• Atomic Radius• Electronegativity
• Each element is represented within a square, which has information about each element, such as• Atomic Number• Atomic Symbol• Atomic Name• Atomic Mass
(measured in grams per mole)
• Electron Configuration (in some tables)
• With practice, the Periodic Table can become the most resourceful tool in Chemistry studies
DiscussionThese questions are in-class discussion that will be turned in at the end of the period• Using your Periodic Table, find the element Lead and list its
atomic symbol, atomic mass, and periodic group it belongs to.• With your current understanding of matter and subatomic
particles, why do you think that the increase or decrease of temperature can cause a change in a state of matter?• If particles in solid matter have space between them, although
extremely small, why do solid things appear solid? Why can’t we eventually pass our hand through a table if we apply enough pressure, like we would with a liquid? Come up with a few ideas, and discuss them with the students around you.
The Assignment• Each student will be assigned an element from the
Periodic Table• You may work in pairs if you wish, but this is not
required• You will be researching information regarding your
assigned element• The information you gather on your element will be
presented to the class on a Project Display Board or Poster Board
Example of Project Display Board
Required Information (Basics)This information is required to be in your presentation• Periodic information of element• Name• Atomic Number• Atomic Mass• Number of protons, neutrons, and electrons• Periodic Group (based on location on Periodic Table)
Required Information (Specifics)
This information will require internet access to find• Picture of your element in its most common state• Year of discovery and by whom• Percent Abundance of element• Common uses of element• If your element has too many common uses to fit on the
display board, you may verbally list them during your presentation time