GROUP 7

“MARBLE CHOCOLATE CANDY ATOMS”

Members: Miguel, Gino; Vael, Leslie Mae; Gomez, Micah; Policarpio, Jana; Marin, Jean

INTRODUCTION:

The model of an atom can be broken down by 3 constituent parts namely protons, neutrons, and
electrons and each of them has an associated charge. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a
negative charge, and neutrons possess no net charge. The nucleus of an atom is made up of protons and
neutrons, and electrons orbit it in a "cloud" according to the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Here are
some models that explain more about atoms:
Rutherford's Nuclear Model The protons and neutrons make up the nucleus that is located in the
center of the atom. While the electrons that are surrounding the nucleus take up the most volume of the
atom. This shows how small the nucleus is compared to the rest. Niels Bohr's Planetary Model Bohr
model is a planetary model because it is similar to planets orbiting the sun. The planetary model is
composed of negative charge electrons that orbit the nucleus. Electrons are orbiting the nucleus because it
has a set of size and energy. The size and energy of an orbit are related to each other where the lowest
energy is found in the smallest orbit.
In this activity, students are going to recreate specific models of an atom using edible marble
chocolate balls. Using these models, investigate the makeup of atoms, including their relative size.
Students should also learn the practice of adding and subtracting electrons from an atom and determining
the overall charges on atoms.

MATERIALS:
 Long Folder
 Marble Chocolate Balls (red, blue, yellow)
 Glue or Paste
 Sticker Paper
 Pen
 Scissors
 Periodic Table of the Elements
 Worksheet for Data and Observations

PROCEDURE

Part A. Beryllium Atom

In performing the experiment, the observations should be recorded in Data Table I.

1. Based on the Atomic no. of Beryllium in Periodic Table, Get a 4 blue and red chocolate balls and 5
yellow chocolate balls. (The atomic no. is equal to the no. of the 2 color chocolate balls)
2. Get the sticker paper and write a +, -, 0 sign. Then, “+” should be stick in the blue chocolate balls, “-”
in the red chocolate balls, while the “0” is in the yellow chocolate balls. (The “+” is a sign for protons, “-”
is a sign for electrons, while “0” is a sign for neutrons).

3. Combine the “+” blue chocolate balls and “0” yellow chocolate balls together by using glue or tape
materials to form a nucleus (The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, and the number of protons and
neutrons is equal to the mass number of the element). Record the mass no. of the Beryllium element.

4. Cut the folder in 3 pieces with different size (1x10cm, 1x15cm, 1x20cm). Then form a circle into 3
paper pieces by putting glue at the ends of each piece, it will represent the Electron Orbits. Write in the
1x10cm piece is “2 electrons”, while in the 1x15cm and 1x20cm is “8 electrons” (It means how many
electrons that each electron orbit can handle)

5. Put the nucleus in the center of the 3 Electron Orbits. Then put the 4 electrons, the 1 st orbit piece should
be filled first after putting another into 2 nd and 3rd orbit. Record the charge of the whole atom based on the
no. of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

6. Remove one electron from the Beryllium atom. Record the charge of the whole atom.

7. After removing the one electron, bring back the electron then add a 1 electron. Record your
observations in the charge of the whole atom.

Part B. Carbon Atom

In performing the experiment, the observations should be recorded in Data Table II.

1. Based on the atomic and mass no. of Carbon, get a right amount of blue, red, and yellow marble
chocolate balls to represent protons, neutrons, and electrons.

2. Get the sticker paper and write a +, -, 0 sign. Then, “+” should be stick in the blue chocolate balls, “-”
in the red chocolate balls, while the “0” is in the yellow chocolate balls

3. Combine the “+” blue chocolate balls and “0” yellow chocolate balls together by using glue or tape
materials to form a nucleus. Record the mass no. of the Carbon element

4. Cut the folder in 3 pieces with different size (1x10cm, 1x15cm, 1x20cm). Then form a circle into 3
paper pieces by putting glue at the ends of each piece, it will represent the Electron Orbits

5. Put the nucleus in the center of the 3 Electron Orbits. Then put the 4 electrons, the 1 st orbit piece should
be filled first after putting another into 2nd and 3rd orbit.

6. Remove 2 electrons. Record the charge of the whole atom with observations (explanation).

7. After removing 2 electrons, bring the electron back to its place, and add 3 electrons. Record the charge
of the charge of the whole atom with observations (explanation).
DATA AND OBSERVATIONS

Data Table I.
BERYLLIUM ATOM OBSERVATIONS

No. of Protons (__)

(Write the Charge)
No. of Electrons (__)
(Write the Charge)
No. of Neutrons (__)
(Write the Charge)
Mass No. of Beryllium
(Explanation needed)
Charge of the whole atom
(Explanation needed)
Charge of the whole atom
after removing one electron
(Explanation needed)
Charge of the whole atom
after adding one electron
(Explanation needed)

Data Table II.

CARBON ATOM OBSERVATIONS

No. of Protons (__)

(Write the Charge)
No. of Electrons (__)
(Write the Charge)
No. of Neutrons (__)
(Write the Charge)
Mass No. of Beryllium
(Explanation needed)
Charge of the whole atom
after removing 2 electrons
(Explanation needed)
Charge of the whole atom
after adding 3 electrons
(Explanation needed)
QUESTIONS:

I. Identify the parts of the Structure of an atom

II. Identify the no. of protons, neutrons, and electrons with the given element and its atomic mass and no.

P = ____ P = ____ P = ____

N = ____ N = ____ N = ____

E = ____ E = ____ E = ____

III. Answer the following questions

1. What subatomic particle carries no charge? ___________

2. What subatomic particle is negatively charged? _____________
3. What subatomic particle is positively charged? _______________
4. The nucleus of an atom is ___________ charge.
5-6. The particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom are ___________ and _______________.
7-8. The atomic mass of an element is equal to the total number of: ________________ and
________________.
9. The ________ contains protons and neutrons of an atom, and is most of the mass of an atom.
10. ______________Contributes basically no mass to an atom.
11. All matter is made up of ________.
12. A particle that moves around the nucleus is a(n) ____________.
CONCLUSION:

The structures of the beryllium atom and carbon atom clearly shows the relation of the atomic
number of elements to the number of protons and electrons the element have. The structure of the atoms
also shows the difference between Rutherford's Nuclear Model and Niels Bohr's Planetary Model. With
the use of marble chocolate balls, we can visualize and structuralize how scientists perceive the structures
of atoms. As we observe the finished model of the atoms, we can see the different net charges they have
based on the number of electrons they possess.