How To Make A Model Of An Aluminum Atom For Students

An atom is a unit of matter that includes a dense central nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. An atom is the basic building block and makeup of everyday objects — even a chair, a desk and air are made up of atoms. Making a model of an aluminum atom can help students understand atoms, protons, and neutrons.

Step 1

Determine how many protons and neutrons the model should have, as well as how many levels of energy. Aluminum has 3 levels of energy, containing 13 protons/electrons and 14 neutrons.

Step 2

Cut three pieces of craft wire — one large, one medium and one small — or use pipe cleaners to create three rings in a later step.

Step 3

Create a nucleus using play dough or a Styrofoam ball. Pass the wire through it to mount it at the center of the atom.

Step 4

Make small balls from the play dough to represent each electron and mold it around the wire or pipe cleaner. Put 2 in the smaller, first ring, 8 in the middle, and 3 in the last, outside ring.

Step 5

Make a circle by joining the two ends of each craft wire or pipe cleaner, which will be an orbit.

Step 6

Hang the aluminum atom model from the ceiling using fishing line or string.

Things Needed

  • Pipe cleaner or craft wire
  • Styrofoam balls
  • Play dough
  • Fishing line

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

You may want to have the students make the atom model themselves to help demonstrate that atoms are not two-dimensional entities.

Warning

Making an atom may be difficult for a student who has problems manipulating small objects.

Cite This Article

MLA

Claire, Renee. "How To Make A Model Of An Aluminum Atom For Students" sciencing.com, https://www.sciencing.com/make-model-aluminum-atom-students-7718844/. 24 April 2017.

APA

Claire, Renee. (2017, April 24). How To Make A Model Of An Aluminum Atom For Students. sciencing.com. Retrieved from https://www.sciencing.com/make-model-aluminum-atom-students-7718844/

Chicago

Claire, Renee. How To Make A Model Of An Aluminum Atom For Students last modified March 24, 2022. https://www.sciencing.com/make-model-aluminum-atom-students-7718844/

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