Early Atomic Theory Web Quest

This web quest will walk you through some of the scientists, discoveries, experiments and models that helped to shape early atomic theory. You will need the Web Quest worksheet, the "History of Atomic Structure" article and a device with internet access to complete the exercise.

Each step of the quest is listed below starting with Democritus and working through Niels Bohr. Please move through the activity in the order below so that you can see how the model was built from the time of the ancient Greeks through the mid 20th century. By the end of the activity, you should have a good understanding of how the model of the atom has evolved and the scientific discoveries that led to this evolution. Have fun!

Democritus, the Greek who loved Atoms

(1) View this video:

(2) Read through the Democritus portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions related to Democritus in your Web Quest packet.

(4) Move on to the next Scientist, John Dalton.


John Dalton, the Father of Atomic Theory

(1) View this video:

(2) Read through the Dalton portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions on your Web Quest packet.

(4) Move on to the next scientist, JJ Thomson.

JJ Thomson takes the atom subatomic!

(1) View these TWO videos in order:

(2) Read through the Thomson portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions on your Web Quest packet.

(5) Move on to the next scientist, Ernest Rutherford.

Rutherford finds the heart of the atom!

(1) View these two videos in order:

(2) Read through the Rutherford portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions on your Web Quest packet.

(4) When finished, move onto the next scientist, James Chadwick.

James Chadwick finds the missing particle!

(1) View this video:

(2) Read through the Chadwick portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions on your Web Quest packet.

(4) When finished, move onto the last scientist, Niels Bohr.

Niels Bohr puts the electron in orbit!

(1) View these two videos in order:

(2) Read through the Bohr portion of the Timeline Article.

(3) Answer the questions on your Web Quest packet.

(4) Get a stamp from your instructor to show you have finished the Timeline.

Congratulations!

You have completed the Early Atomic Theory Web Quest!