Lesson Plan

4. Describe how ideas about the atom have changed

07_12_01

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Explore the scientific ideas about the atom
  • Describe the structure of an atom

National Curriculum

  • Chemistry - Atoms, elements and compounds: Learn about a simple (Dalton) atomic model.

Working Scientifically

  • Ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience

Resources

Resources: pens, pencils, water container for visual aid to complete the mission assignment.

Handout: Handout contains details of how to complete the mission assignment.

Rocket words

  • Democritus
  • theory
  • ratio
  • atomos
  • John Dalton (1766-1844)

Implementation

Starter

Discuss: What is an atomic model? Extend discussion: what does the term scientific model mean? 

Main Teaching

Review the presentation, follow the story of the how the idea of the atom over the years has changed. In particular, ask questions to students about what evidence has led to the ideas changing. 

Career Film: Take a tour around the offices of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in Cumbria to find out about Daniel Wilmot's job. Daniel works as a Waste Strategy Nuclear Graduate for NDA.

Expert Film: This is Daniel Wilmot. Daniel works as a Waste Strategy Nuclear Graduate for Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Listen to Mark as he explains how ideas about the atom have changed.

Mission Assignment

Students should review the history of the atom and build models to show how they have changed over the years. They should also describe the evidence that has led to the change.

Challenge Task:

Students to work in pairs to build an atomic model based on one of the historical theories. Students to compare and evaluate each others models for accuracy.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

With their talk partners, ask the students to go through the quiz at the end of the presentation and answer the questions. Then, the students should take the interactive Assessment Quiz to test lesson comprehension.