Day+00b+-+Introduction

Day 00b - Introduction

Today we will begin our investigation of Electricity through an introduction to Atomic Structure.

After Mr. Wheeler's BRIEF introduction to the Forces of Nature we will watch a short Star Wars video.

Mr. Wheeler will direct us to partner up and logon to our workstations for a look at the wikispace content and show us how to create a shortcut/favorite link.

Mr. Wheeler will give us an (as brief as possible) introduction to Atomic Structure regarding: Atomic Particles - Protons, Neutrons, Electrons Atomic Structure - Nucleus, orbitals, clouds, weight, mass, stability, neutral/ionic states, and charge. Periodic Table - Metals, Metalloids, and Non Metals Conductivity and what makes a good conductor.

We will then be directed to the Phet edu website PHET EDU and be allowed to run the Build an Atom simulation to investigate the fundamental nature of elements andthat translates into charge and ultimately electricity. The simulation can be run by selecting Chemistry, then general chemistry, then clicking the Build an Atom sim icon. You should RUN the simulation, DO NOT DOWNLOAD it (you don't need to since it will run online as a Java Application).

Make some atoms and pay attention to the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Watch for a charge imbalance (ionic), and also watch for an unstable nucleus (it will shake it the protons/neutron ration is not 1:1).

The big idea here is that elements with a single electron in the outer orbital are ready to pass it on, and thus make good conductors of electricity!