By the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
Trace the development of atomic theory and the structure of the atom from the ancient Greeks to the present (Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and modern theory) (MCAS 2.1)
Interpret Dalton’s atomic theory in terms of the Laws of Conservation of Mass, Constant Composition, and Multiple Proportions (MCAS 2.2)
Distinguish between protons, electrons, and neutrons in terms of their relative masses and charges. (MCAS 2.3)
Discuss the structure of an atom including the location of the proton, electron, and neutron with respect to the nucleus. (MCAS 2.3)
Used the atomic number and mass number of an element to find the number of protons, electrons and neutrons.
Define an atomic mass unit.
State how isotopes of an atom differ.
Describe alpha, beta, and gamma particles; discuss the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation; and write balanced nuclear reactions. (MCAS 2.8)
Describe the process of radioactive decay as the spontaneous breakdown of certain unstable elements (radioactive) into new elements (radioactive or not) through the spontaneous emission by the nucleus of alpha or beta particles. (MCAS 2.10)
Explain the difference between stable and unstable isotopes. (MCAS 2.10)
Explain the concept of half-life of a radioactive element, e.g., explain why the half-life of C14 has made carbon dating a powerful tool in determining the age of very old objects. (MCAS 2.11)
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of wavelength and energy (MCAS 2.6)
Understand that matter has properties of both particles and waves. (MCAS 2.4)
Using Bohr’s model of the atom, interpret changes (emission/absorption) in electron energies in the hydrogen atom corresponding to emission transitions between quantum levels. (MCAS 2.5)
Write the electron configurations for elements in the first three rows of the periodic table (MCAS 2.7)
Make sure to use the PDF found in the google drive. (Viewing the book in the “web view” at openstax.org has different section and page numbers.) All questions can be found at the end of each chapter
#1 Section 2.1 Early Ideas in Atomic Theory pp. 67-72 reading and problems 1-4
#2 Section 2.2 Evolution of Atomic Theory pp. 72-78 reading and problems 5-9
#3 Section 2.3 Atomic Structure and Symbolism pp. 78-87 reading and problems 10-26
#4 Section 21.1 Nuclear Structure and Stability pp. 1175-1183 reading and problems 1-10
#5 Section 21.2 Nuclear Equations pp. 1183-1186 reading and problems 11-18
The earliest documented proponents of the Atomist philosophy were Leucippus of Miletus (ca 480 BCE- 420 BCE) and his student Democritus of Abdera (ca 460 BCE - 370 BCE). These two pages are by J. J. O'Connor and E. F. Robertson at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Thomas Knierim puts The Atomistic Philosophy of Leucippus and Democritus in the context of other contemporary views of matter. A similar article from Wikipedia on Democritus also compares his views to those of other philosophers of his age.
Fieser and Dowden edit The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy which includes this article on Democritus which highlights other areas of his life and philosophy beyond atomism.
Giorgio Carboni posits a thought experiment entitled The Necklace of Democritus which suggests how one can determine the size of atoms.
Anthony Carpi summarizes the atomist philosophy and Dalton's model of the atom as a prelude to a description of the five states of Matter. This includes flash animations with ball and stick models of molecules in the different states.