Energy Lessons

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What is an Atom?

  • Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter that make up everyday objects. A desk, the air, and even people are made up of billions and billions of atoms. Look at the tip of a pencil. It contains an universe made of atoms. It is quite amazing when you think about it.

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  • There are three parts of an atom: Electrons, Protons and Neutrons.
  • Electrons have a negative charge. They are smaller and more numerous than the bigger protons and neutrons. Electrons are found in clouds that surround the nucleus of an atom.
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  • Protons are positive and are located in the nucleus of an atom
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  • Neutrons have no charge because they are neutral.
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  • Nucleus: Is the center of an atom and it is made up of protons and neutrons connected through bonds. It is the only solid part of the atom.
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  • There are 90 naturally occurring kinds of atoms. These different types of atoms are called chemical elements (a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom). Click to see the Periodic Table and see how many protons, electrons and neutrons each atom needs.

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  • Scientists in labs have been able to make atoms but they are generally unstable and radioactive. Here are 17 man-made atomic elements: Lawrencium, Rutherfordium, Dubnium, Seaborgium, Bohrium, Hassium, Meitnerium, Neptunium, Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium and Nobelium.

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  • Molecules form when an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms stick together (by covalent chemical bonds). For example, when two hydrogen atoms bond (stick to) with one oxygen atom you get water (H20).

 

Think about it!

Atoms, the building blocks of life, have an equal amount of negative electrons and positive protons. Think about all the things in life that balance. Like hot and cold.

atom model

 

Atom Model (Carbon)

atom model

The Hydrogen Atom

atom model

Carbon Atom

atom model

 

Lithium Atom

Pearson Leveled-Readers (School must use Pearson login to view)

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How Matter Works: Read-Along Book: Grade K-1

 

Matter and its Properties: Read-Along Book: Grade 2-4

 

Matter and its Properties: Read-Along Book: Grade 4-6

 

Matter and its Properties:Read-Along Book: Grade 2-4

 

Social Studies: Pioneers of Physics Read-Along Book: Grade 4-6

 

Properties of Matter: Read-Along Book: Grade 4-6

Pearson Successnet - Scott Foresmen Science (School must use Pearson login to view)

Chapter (11 - 16) Physical Science

 

Energy Lessons

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