Defining "Atom"

Answer the following question in your comment below:
An atom is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be that element. Now that scientists have learned that an atom is made up of even smaller particles (like protons, neutrons, and electrons), is this definition still accurate? Why or why not?

Upon the completion of this blog response, go to Ediscio and complete the "Atoms" cardbox. That way, you shall ace the standard check on Atoms.

Grouping the Elements Jigsaw Project

1. Be sure to learn about your group's common characteristics. 
   • Read about your group of elements in Chapter 5 Section 2 of the blue book.
   • Research the group using any of the following resources:
   • PTable - it’s a great resource for groups AND the individual elements
   • Search tools such as InstaGrok, Qwiki, Wolfram Alpha, and Google
2. Go on the internet and do a search for some or all of the elements in your group and their uses.
3. List 3 everyday uses for at least 5 of the elements in your group.

Here is a list of websites that you may choose to use to find uses:
Web Elements: Click on the element from your group that you want to research. This will take you to a page that provides essential information on the element. Read this. Scroll down the page and you will find the "Uses" link. This page should have the info you need.
It's Elemental
Chemical Elements
Interactive Periodic Table
PTable
4. You should get a start to your group's Prezi. Be sure to include the following:

• • 5 characteristics of the whole group
• A simile/metaphor that compares your element group to a sport, musical artist, or celebrity   Describe the connection. Why does this simile/metaphor make sense?
• List 4 everyday uses for at least 5 of the elements in your group.
• Be sure to emphasize main points by changing size.
• Use pictures/videos to help explain what your group is like. There are a lot of things you can do to spruce up a creative presentation. Feel free to borrow any/all of my cameras, or one from the library.
• Set the Path for your Prezi.
• Rehearse your delivery. We want to learn a lot from you!
• ***don't just limit yourself to the above things. If you find something really cool and can find a way to include it in your presentation, do it. Help us learn about your group.

If you are nearing the completion of your Prezi, see if there's anything else that can make dynamic and creative. Be sure to set the path, and develop a plan with your group for how you will present.

2012 Chem Games

I am challenging all of you (and other Earthlings that have access to our blog) to achieve greatness in the 4th Annual Chem Games. Use the following links to earn (as many points possible) and learn (about the individual elements and their chemical symbols, subatomic particles, and placement on the periodic table). These websites can help reinforce your knowledge of atoms and the periodic table, concepts that we have started (and will continue) to learn about during our quarter of chemistry.

Here are the links:
Element Flash Cards (set up the game so that it tests you on the 33 elements you are supposed to know) Non-Crazy 8 visitors can view this link to find out what those elements are.
Element Math Games
Periodic Table Activities -- this one is unavailable on the Chromebook. Try it on the SmartBoard maybe.
Setting the Periodic Table
Element Matching Game
Fun Brain Periodic Table

Feel free to share your high scores, along with the game and its conditions, in the comments section of this post. Post your scores with honesty and integrity. As always, these are virtues required of Mustang 8ers and others that visit our blog. Gold medals in the 2012 Chem Games are at stake! Good luck! High scores will be posted HERE.

Periodic Table Formative Assessment

Intro to Chemistry

Check out the following resources with your Chromebook (or whatever you’re using). The first one is a video that attempts to describe just how small an atom is. The lesson was done by a Chemistry teacher from Colorado that I’ve met several times, and the folks at TEDed set his words with an animator to help you visualize what he’s talking about. See if you can follow it all.

Just How Small is an Atom?

Here is the second resource: Scale of the Universe 2 It is the second offering of “Scale of the Universe”. The site allows the reader to zoom in all the way to the smallest things we (theoretically) know of. We will study some of this tiny stuff during Chemistry. The site also zooms out to the largest things we know of, like galaxies. We won’t learn about that stuff until the 3rd quarter, but feel free to look at what interests you.

In your comment below, answer these questions:

1. From the video, which size comparison "blew your mind" the most? In other words, what do you think was the most shocking stat concerning the size of an atom, size of the nucleus, or density of the nucleus? Why?
2. There is a lot to take in from the interactive zooming website. I can't seem wrap my mind around the relative sizes of stars, galaxies, "strings", atoms, and quarks to the "everyday" things that I see and experience. What is your big takeaway from viewing the "Scale of the Universe"? 
3. Did you find any other interesting things on the Scale of the Universe website? Please share if you did.