BUILDING ATOMS

Name: _____________________________________ Class: _______

1. Go to https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-
atom
2. Click on the play button on top of the simulation
preview to start the simulation.
3. Click on the picture on the far left that says atom below
it.
4. Explore the Build an Atom simulation.
A. Drag the grey, blue and red balls into the atom model
and notice where they appear.
B. Expand the element, net charge and mass number
boxes.
C. Under “Show” click all the boxes.
D. Drag different numbers of grey, blue and red balls
into the atom and notice what changes happen.

1. Using the simulation, answer the next questions

a) What part(s), or subatomic particles(s), go in the

center of the atom, called the nucleus?

b) What subatomic particle(s), go in the outer rings of

the atom?

c) Which particle (or particles) determines the name of

the element you build?

d) Play until you discover what affects the mass of your

atom or ion. Which particles don’t affect the mass?

e) Which subatomic particle(s) influence the stability of

the atom?
2. Play with the simulation until you discover what affects the charge of your atom or ion.
What is a rule for making.

a) An atom neutral (one with 0 extra charge)?

___________________________________________________

b) A +ion (positive ion, one with extra positive charge)?

___________________________________________________

c) A - ion (negative ion, one with extra negative charge)?

___________________________________________________

3. Using all of your rules, figure out what changes for each of these actions to an atom or
ion. You can test your ideas with the simulation.

What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Add a
Proton ☐ Charge
☐ Mass

What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
Remove ☐ Element
a ☐ Charge
Neutron
☐ Mass

What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
Remove ☐ Element
an ☐ Charge
Electron
☐ Mass

What
Action How Does it Change?
Changes?
☐ Element
Add an
Electron ☐ Charge
☐ Mass
4. Design a positive ion with a charge of +2. Include a drawing:

Number of protons __
Number of neutrons__
Number of electrons__

a) What is the element of your ion? ______________

b) What is the mass of your ion? ________________

c) Is the nucleus of your ion stable or unstable (circle)?

5. Design a neutral stable ion with a mass of 9. Include a drawing

Number of protons __
Number of neutrons__
Number of electrons__

a) What is the element of your ion? ______________

b) What is the charge of your ion? ________________

c) Is the nucleus of your ion stable or unstable (circle)?

6. At the bottom of the screen click the symbol button (middle) to learn more about symbols
for atoms. Explore the symbol tab in the simulation until you learn what each part of the
symbol signifies.

a) What does the 3 tell you in the picture above?

_____________________
b) What does the 2 tell you in the picture above?

_____________________
c) What does the “He” tell you in the picture above?

__________________
d) What does the +1 tell you in the picture above?

____________________
7. Build these atoms and complete all the gaps.