Foundations of Physical Science

1. Foundations of Physical Science Workshop: The Atom

2. The Atom – Atom Building Game CPO Science

3. Key Questions • What are atoms and how are they put together? • What does atomic structure have to do with the periodic table?

4. Subatomic Particles • What three basic particles make up all atoms?

5. Subatomic Particles • Protons • Neutrons • Electrons

6. Subatomic Particles • The marbles represent these particles. Can you guess which marble represents which particle?

7. Subatomic Particles • Now see if you can determine which are protons and which are neutrons:

8. Building Atoms • Several groups build an atom with:7 blues, 6 reds, 6 yellows • Others build an atom with: 15 yellows, 16 blues, 15 reds • Others build an atom with 8 yellows, 8 reds, and 9 blues • Several groups build an atom with:7 blues,6 reds, 6 yellows • Others build an atom with: 15 yellows,16 blues,15 reds • Others build an atom with 8 yellows,8 reds,and9 blues

9. The game of Atomic Challenge • 4 players or teams per board • Each player starts with 6 blues, 5 reds, and 5 yellows in their board pocket. • Each player takes turns adding marbles to the atom (up to 5 per turn) to make real, stable atoms. • The first player to lose all their marbles wins!!! • 4 players or teams per board • Each player starts with6 blues,5 reds, and 5 yellowsin their board pocket. • Each player takes turns adding marbles to the atom (up to 5 per turn) to make real, stable atoms. • The first player to lose all their marbles wins!!!

10. Atom Building Reminders

11. Building Atoms using Nuclear Particle Cards • Each player starts with7 blues,7 reds, and 7 yellowsin the board pocket. • 4 players or teams per board • Shuffle cards and deal 5 per player • On each turn, play a card and add or take particles as the card instructs • On some turns you will score points; on other turns you will not (you may be blocking an opponent) • Each player starts with7 blues, 7 reds, and 7 yellowsin the board pocket.

12. Scoring Points: If your move… • Creates or leaves a stable nucleus, you score 1 point • Creates or leaves a neutral atom, you score 1 point • Creates a perfect, neutral atom with a stable nucleus, you score 3 points • First person to 15 points wins!

13. Light and the Atom • Atoms absorb and then emit energy with their electrons • When the energy emitted falls within the visible spectrum we see it as light

14. Laser Light • An Acronym - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation • Monochromatic • In-Phase • Coherent • Many Uses

15. The game of Photons & Lasers • Teaches players about how light is absorbed and emitted from atoms • The objective of the game is to score points by stimulating excited electrons tolase, emitting photons of light • Players playpumpcards to excite the atom by moving electrons up energy levels • Players score points by playinglasercards and moving electrons back down energy levels

16. Setting Up Photons & Lasers • To begin, the atom should be set up for a specific element • Neon 20 is a good choice with 10 each of protons, neutrons, and electrons • The electrons should all start in the lowest possible levels – the ground state • Each player is dealt 5 cards from the shuffled deck of Photon & Lasers cards • Play consists of moving electrons up and down energy levels, the nucleus remains unchanged.

17. Pump Cards • Pump cards represent photons of light absorbed by the atom • An absorbed photon raises a single electron the number of energy levels corresponding to the energy (color) of the photon shown on the card • No points are scored with pump cards, but the atom is raised to an excited state which can later be used to earn points by playing laser cards.

18. Laser Cards • Laser cards represent the emission of light from the atom, matching the energy (color) of the stimulating photon • Playing a laser card allows the player to move as many electrons as possible down the number of energy levels specified on the card • When electrons move down energy levelspoints are scored!

19. Playing Photons & Lasers • Players take turns playing one card per turn and moving electrons up and down energy levels as instructed on the card played • Each player draws a new card from the deck after each play to maintain a five card hand • If necessary the played cards can be re-shuffled and re-used

20. Scoring Points • In any given turn electrons may be moved from one level only and only to unfilled states in the appropriate lower level • The total number of electrons moved down (lased) multiplied by the number of energy levels indicated on the laser card equals the points for that turn • 1 electron moved 2 levels = 1 x 2 = 2points • 3 electrons moved 2 levels = 3 x 2 = 6 points • 4 electrons moved 3 levels = 4 x 3 = 12 points