14A
Atomic Structure
Investigation
14A Atomic Structure
What is inside an atom?
Materials
We once believed that atoms were the smallest units of matter. Then it was
discovered that there are even smaller particles inside atoms! The
• Atom Building Game
structure of the atom explains why nearly all the properties of matter we
experience are what they are. This investigation will lead you through
some challenging and fun games that illustrate how atoms are built from
protons, neutrons, and electrons.
A
Modeling an atom
In the atom game, colored marbles represent the three kinds of particles. Red marbles are
protons, blue marbles are neutrons, and yellow marbles are electrons.
1. Build the atom above using three red, three blue, and three yellow marbles.
2. Fill in the blanks in the empty periodic table box for the atom you constructed.
B
Thinking about the atom
a. What is the number below the element symbol? What does this number tell you about the
the atom?
1