Atoms, Elements and Molecules

Experience Chemistry Storyline 1

Literacy / Driving Question Board Connections

Nonfiction Science Literacy Resources

Graphic Organizers / Thinking Maps

Driving Question Boards

Multilingual Learner Language Expectations

Citizen Science Opportunities

Atoms, Elements and Molecules

DRIVING QUESTION: What distinguishes the minerals in this mountain?

The Rainbow Mountains of Peru formed when that Nazca plate subducted under the South American plate and caused the mountains to uplift. Tectonic activity caused these mountains to tilt, exposing the unique striping patterns. The colorful stripes are caused by the distinctive mineralogy in the area. The red stripes indicate that iron oxide is present as a trace mineral; the yellow strips are from iron sulfide present as a trace mineral. The Rainbow Mountains are an example of how slight elemental changes in minerals can yield dramatic visual changes. As students progress through the storyline, they will connect how atoms, elements, and molecules relate to the structure of minerals, crystals, and gems.

Investigation 1 Atomic Structure: What Causes the colors in a firework display?

Students relate the properties of atoms to the differences in mineral properties, and the atomic emission spectra of elements to light emitted by fireworks.

Investigation 2 The Periodic Table: Why are elements in pure form so rare?

Students explain periodic trends of elements in relation to the differences in minerals.

Investigation 3 Chemical Bonding: Why do gems have different properties than metals?

Students explain how differences in bonding produce differences in properties of gems and metals and apply the knowledge to explain how minerals are distinguished from one another.

Unit Standards

What is the NGSS & 3 Dimensional Science Learning and Why is it Important?

Science Practices - Disciplinary Core Ideas - Crosscutting Concepts

Investigation 1: Atomic Structure

HS-PS1-1: Valence Electrons and Properties of Elements

Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Clarification Statement: Examples of properties that could be predicted from patterns could include reactivity of metals, types of bonds formed, numbers of bonds formed, and reactions with oxygen.

Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to main group elements. Assessment does not include quantitative understanding of ionization energy beyond relative trends.

Investigation 2: The Periodic Table

HS-PS1-2: Simple Chemical Reactions

Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

Clarification Statement: Examples of chemical reactions could include the reaction of sodium and chlorine, of carbon and oxygen, or of carbon and hydrogen.

Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to chemical reactions involving main group elements and combustion reactions.

Investigation 3: Chemical Bonding

HS-PS1-3: Electrical Forces and Bulk Scale Structure

Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles. (Patterns)

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on understanding the strengths of forces between particles, not on naming specific intermolecular forces (such as dipole-dipole). Examples of particles could include ions, atoms, molecules, and networked materials (such as graphite). Examples of bulk properties of substances could include the melting point and boiling point, vapor pressure, and surface tension.

Boundary Statement: Assessment does not include Raoult’s law calculations of vapor pressure.

HS-PS1-7: Conservation of Atoms in Chemical Reactions

Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction. (Energy and Matter)

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using mathematical ideas to communicate the proportional relationships between masses of atoms in the reactants and the products, and the translation of these relationships to the macroscopic scale using the mole as the conversion from the atomic to the macroscopic scale. Emphasis is on assessing students’ use of mathematical thinking and not on memorization and rote application of problem-solving techniques

Boundary Statement: Assessment does not include complex chemical reactions.

HS-PS2-4: Gravitational and Electrostatic Forces Between Objects

Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Coulomb’s Law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects. (Patterns)

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on both quantitative and conceptual descriptions of gravitational and electric fields.

Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to systems with two objects.

HS-PS3-5: Energy Change Due to Interacting Fields

Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction. (Cause and Effect)

Clarification Statement: Examples of models could include drawings, diagrams, and texts, such as drawings of what happens when two charges of opposite polarity are near each other.

Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to systems containing two objects.

Investigation Overviews

Investigation 1 Atomic Structure: What Causes the colors in a firework display?

Start this investigation by asking students why they think fireworks produce different colors of light when they are set off. Students may first assume that different colors are produced by different types of matter. This question leads to an investigation into the particle nature of matter (Experience 1). Students then investigate what makes atoms of different elements unique (Experience 2). Learning more about atomic structure causes students to wonder what specific part of the atom could produce the multicolor display (Experience 3). This leads to an investigation of electron transitions (Experience 4) and the spectrum of colors that each element can emit (Experience 5).

Investigation 2 The Periodic Table: Why are elements in pure form so rare?

Introduce this investigation with a discussion of precious metals (such as gold, silver, and platinum) and their rarity on Earth. The lack of reactivity of these precious metals prompts students to investigate their properties through the periodic table. They begin by thinking about how objects (and elements) might be arranged in meaningful categories (Experience 1). Then they explore grouping elements based on shared characteristics (Experience 2) and begin to see patterns in the periodic table. Finally, they are able to identify trends in the periodic table and explain why they occur (Experience 3).

Investigation 3 Chemical Bonding: Why do gems have different properties than metals?

Lead into this investigation with a discussion of jewelry making. The properties and shapes of gemstones lead students to ionic bonds (Experience 1), while the working of metal settings for the gems brings them to metallic bonds (Experience 2). Students consider how compounds that are neither gems nor metals behave due to covalent bonds (Experience 3) and how the bonds between molecules give rise to some of a substance's properties (Experience 4). Finally, they name the compounds that make up gems, using chemical nomenclature (Experience 5).

Local Colorado Phenomenon & Career Connections

Local Colorado Phenomena Connections

Here are some local Colorado phenomena that can be used to address atoms, elements, and molecules in high school chemistry:

Colorado Gemstones and Minerals: Colorado is known for its rich deposits of minerals like rhodochrosite and aquamarine. You can explore the atomic structure and composition of these minerals, discussing how different elements combine to form complex molecules.

Colorado Hot Springs: The geothermal activity in Colorado creates hot springs, which provide an excellent case study for mineral dissolution and the chemical composition of water, including the presence of elements like sulfur and calcium.

Rocky Mountain Weathering: The weathering of the Rocky Mountains involves chemical reactions between minerals and atmospheric gases. This can be used to discuss how elements and molecules interact in natural processes.

Colorado River Chemistry: Analyzing the chemical composition of river water, including dissolved salts and minerals, can illustrate the presence and movement of atoms and molecules in aquatic ecosystems.

Photosynthesis in Alpine Ecosystems: The unique alpine ecosystems in Colorado offer a context to explore the molecular processes of photosynthesis and the role of elements like carbon and oxygen.

Using SchoolAI, Gemini, ChatGPT to find local Colorado Phenomena or Career Connections

Use the following prompt, adjust accordingly. "I am a middle school science teacher looking for a local Colorado phenomena to address NGSS standard (enter standard you are looking for... example MS-PS1-4)"

Using SchoolAI

1) Navigate to Assistants

2) Select Curriculum Coach

3) Use the prompt above

Career Connections

Connecting what students are learning to careers not only deepens their engagement in school but also helps them make more informed choices about their future. Browse the following related career profiles to discover what scientists really do on the job and what it takes to prepare for these careers. For additional profiles visit your Year at a Glance Page.

SAVVAS Career Connections

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): Located in Golden, Colorado, they focus on sustainable energy solutions and often involve chemistry research.

NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory: Based in Boulder, they work on atmospheric chemistry and could be a valuable resource.

Ball Aerospace: Located in Broomfield, they work on materials and chemical processes for aerospace applications.

Lockheed Martin: Their facility in Littleton involves chemical engineering for aerospace and defense systems.

Rocky Mountain Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS): They can provide networking opportunities and local events.

Agilent Technologies: They have a facility in Boulder focusing on chemical analysis and instruments.

These connections can provide insights into career paths, internships, and guest speakers for your classroom.

Hands On, Minds On Connections

Hands-On Labs / Lab Safety

PASCO

Green Chemistry - Beyond Benign

St Vrain Science Center

Simulations

SAVVAS

GIZMOS

Gizmos in Science

Nearpod Lessons / Activities / Videos

LabXchange Lessons / Activities / Videos