Lesson Plan: C1.1.09

Hamble Lesson Observation Plan
Learning About
What is the electronic structure of an atom?
Keywords:
  • Radius: the distance from the centre to the circumference of a circle or sphere. (1)
  • Group: a collection of elements found in the same column of the periodic table with similar properties. (1)
  • Atom: the smallest constituent unit of ordinary matter. (1)
  • Energy level: the shells that electrons are arranged into around the nucleus of an atom with the innermost shell being the lowest energy level. (1)
Memory Anchor:
Method Precise Learning Objective Linked Question / Activity
(Designed for maximum working out)		 Stepping Stones Pitstop Check
(Thinking Map)
The electrons in an atom occupy the lowest available energy levels (innermost available shells). What is the maximum number of electrons that can be held by each of the three inner most shells?

Modelling electron arrangement
The electronic structure of an atom can be represented by numbers or by a diagram. For example, the electronic structure of sodium is 2,8,1 or (electron arrangement using dot-and-cross diagram) showing two electrons in the lowest energy level, eight in the second energy level and one in the third energy level. What would a diagram of the electron structure of an atom of carbon look like?

(WS) Students should be able to represent the electronic structures of the first twenty elements of the periodic table in both forms. Why is carbon found in group 4 of the periodic table?
Students may answer questions in terms of either energy levels or shells.

Atoms are very small, having a radius of about 0.1 nm (1 x 10-10 m). How big is the total radius of an average atom?
Links To the Big Ideas
ForcesParticlesEnergyCells