Adopt-an-Element Project

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to promote familiarity of the Periodic

Table and its families of elements. The student will gain an
understanding of characteristics of elements and how those
characteristics are related to everyday life.

Requirements:
1. Complete an Adopt-an-Element information sheet.
You may use a variety of resources. Possible ideas are encyclopedias, science
catalogs, and or internet sites. Sources must be listed on the information sheet.
Minimum of 3! The Information sheet should be written in BLACK INK and
contain all the information requested.
2. Create an advertisement for your element.
The advertisement must include the element’s name, symbol, atomic number, atomic
mass, and an advertising slogan that describes one or more of its important uses. The
advertisement must be neat, colorful, and contain all the information listed above.
You must pictures that relate to your advertisement theme.

Example: 33 74.9 Atomic Mass

Atomic Number AsArsenic

Symbol and Name

Be sure to include:
✓ Element’s symbol Arsenic’s a sure fire way Slogan
✓ Element’s name to deal with a nasty rat
✓ Atomic number It works better than
✓ Atomic mass a mean ole cat!
✓ Ad slogan
✓ Your name

Joe Student “B” Name and Period

Your ad should follow the
same format as this example!
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Adopt-An-Element Name_______________________
Information Sheet -17 points Element_____________________

Chemical Symbol (1) Atomic Number (1) Atomic Mass (1)

Melting Point (Celsius) (1) Density (g/cm3) (1) Natural State (1)
(solid, liquid, or gas)

Number of Protons (1) Number of Electrons (1) Number of Neutrons (1)

Origin of name (1):

Discovered by (1):

Date (1):

Your element in nature: Is your element found in its pure elemental form? If not, is there a specific compound
from which it is usually obtained? (2)

Atomic Structure: Draw or paste the atomic structure below for ONE ATOM of your element. This can easily
be found on any of the recommended sites (page 4). (3)

Remember, this is the smallest unit of your element that still maintains the physical and chemical properties of the element!

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Adopt an Element: Common compounds- (15 points)
Look for 5 common compounds that contain your element. For each compound, write down its chemical formula
(1), chemical name (1), and common name (if it has one). Also, include any important uses (1) these different
compounds may have!

Example: NaCl, sodium chloride, table salt, it is used as a preservative and food flavoring

1. (3)

2. (3)

3. (3)

4. (3)

5. (3)

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Adopt an Element: Other information- (9 points)
Look on these websites for any other information on your element (common uses, interesting facts, chemical
reactivity, etc.) If site will not work, use another site and give site information.
Web Site Information Found

Web Elements

Chemicool

Los Alamos Periodic

Table

Visual Elements

Lenntech
Periodic Table

It’s Elemental Table

Chem4Kids

Chemical Comics

MII Periodic Table

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Adopt an Element: Project Rubric

Component Point Self- Teacher Comments

Value Score Score
Information Sheet Chemical Symbol 1
(17 Points) Atomic Number 1
Atomic Mass 1
Melting Point 1
Density 1
Natural State 1
Protons 1
Electrons 1
Neutrons 1
Origin of Name 1
Discovered By 1
Date 1
Element in nature 2
Atomic Structure 3
Common Compounds #1 3
(15 Points) #2 3
#3 3
#4 3
#5 3
Other Information Web Element 1
(9 Points) Chemicool 1
Los Alamos 1
Visual Elements 1
Lenntech 1
It’s Elemental 1
Chemical Elements 1
Chemical Comics 1
MII Periodic Table 1
Advertisement Element Name 1
(19 Points) Element Symbol 1
Atomic Number 1
Atomic Mass 1
Artwork/pictures 5
Slogan 7
COLORFUL/NEAT 3
Oral Report 40
Total Points 100

Explanation of self-grade:

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FINAL GRADE: /60