Inorganic Chemistry

Prelim Lab 3: Atomic Structure

Masil, Toni Justine P.

Ramirez, Roie M.

S.Y. 2021-2022
 Prelim Lab 3: Atomic Structure

Abstract
Atomic structures are an important precursor to understanding chemical bonding and
chemistry. Atomic Structure is a fundamental part of Chemistry. Knowing about the
electrons, neutrons, protons can help you understand what is going on in chemistry. The
structures determine the molecular geometry of a compound by portraying the spatial
arrangement of atoms and chemical bonds in the molecule. This provides chemists with an
important visual representation of a chemical formula. Having this necessary background
knowledge helps scientists understand and explain the complexities of the objects being
observed. In this experiment, for instance, examining the composition of rocks retrieved from
an exoplanet reveals that it was or is capable of sustaining life.

Introduction
The laboratory simulation tackled the main ideas concerning atom, ions, elements,
and their structures. Atoms are defined as “the basic building blocks of matter”. They are the
smallest constituent unit of matter that possess the properties of the chemical element. Atoms
don’t exist independently, instead, they form ions and molecules which further combine in
large numbers to form matters, the objects that we see and feel. The atomic structure of an
element refers to the constitution of its nucleus and the arrangement of the electrons around
it. Primarily, the atomic structure of matter is made up of protons, electrons and neutrons.
The protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of the atom, which is surrounded by the
electrons belonging to the atom. While elements are substances whose atoms all have the
same number of protons: another way of saying this is that all of a particular element's atoms
have the same atomic number. Elements are chemically the simplest substances and hence
cannot be broken down using any chemical reactions.

The main objective of the laboratory simulation was to deepen the participants
understanding about atoms and their structure. Isotopes were also discussed later in the
simulation – isotopes can be defined as the variants of chemical elements that possess the
same number of protons and electrons, but a different number of neutrons. Moreover, the
laboratory simulation involved an activity where the students were to survey an exoplanet
location and collect soil samples in order to formulate initial observations about how the soil
may have formed and if it could or have harbored life. Additionally, the findings contributed
to the very controversial topic about life on another planets.
 Prelim Lab 3: Atomic Structure

Materials and Methods

The activities mainly utilized the holo-table. Firstly, the participants created an atom
with an atomic number equal to 2, an atom of helium. Second, they created an atom with a
mass number of three wherein the total number of protons and nucleus equaled to three. Next,
they created cations and anions by adding and removing ions from the atomic structure.
Afterwards, the participants were sent to an exoplanet to collect soil samples. With the help
of the rover’s robotic arm, rock samples were taken and sent back to the lab. Upon learning
more about the elements, specifically magnesium, aluminum, potassium, and iron, the
participants identified that the aforementioned elements were present in the rock samples.
The students were then tasked to create their own isotopes back on the holo-table, modifying
the numbers of subatomic particles. Participants then proceeded in the work bench to analyze
the rocks taken from the exoplanet. Using a pipette, the students took some drops of acetic
acid from the beaker and poured it on to the rocks. A reaction took place, causing the rocks to
release carbon dioxide into the air.

Results
Other than the knowledge obtained about atoms and their structures from the
laboratory simulation. The experiment, dropping acetic acid on the surface of the rocks
retrieved from the exoplanet, showed a chemical reaction causing gas to come out of the
rocks.

Discussion
The acid released carbon dioxide gas as the white rocks contains carbonates. The
carbonates naturally form in the presence of carbon dioxide and liquid water, and therefore
provide important evidence for the presence of liquid water and possibly life in the exoplanet.
Both the oxidation of iron and carbonates provide valuable information because they are
important elements for organisms to survive.