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Science lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 30 minutes

Protons, neutrons and electrons

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.MS-PS1-1CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-1England: KS3 Chemistry: Atoms, elements and compoundsEngland: KS4 Combined Science: Atomic structure and the periodic table

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Protons, neutrons and electrons.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The periodic table: groups and periods

Leads to: Atomic number, mass number and isotopes; How the model of the atom changed over time

Materials: Periodic tables, Atom model kits, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The periodic table: groups and periods). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which family does lithium belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → alkali metals (group 1)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
  2. Which family does bromine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?
  3. Which family does fluorine belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → halogens (group 17, also called group 7)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Protons, neutrons and electrons. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which particle has a very tiny mass (about 1/1840 of a proton)?
  • Step 1: Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells, have a −1 charge and almost no mass.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: electron
  • Answer: electron
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which particle is in the nucleus and its number defines the element? (proton / neutron / electron) → protonPrompt: Two of the particles are in the nucleus.
  2. Atomic structure: which statement is true? (Atoms are mostly empty space. / Neutrons have a negative charge. / The plum pudding model is today's accepted model of the atom. / Protons and electrons have the same mass.) → Atoms are mostly empty space.Prompt: Where is each particle, and what is its charge?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Atomic structure: which statement is true? (The plum pudding model is today's accepted model of the atom. / Protons and electrons have the same mass. / Most of the mass of an atom is in the nucleus. / Electrons are found in the nucleus.) → Most of the mass of an atom is in the nucleus.Prompt: Where is each particle, and what is its charge?
  2. Which particle has no charge? (proton / neutron / electron) → neutronPrompt: Two of the particles are in the nucleus.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The periodic table: groups and periods.
  • Use concrete materials: periodic tables.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Atomic number, mass number and isotopes; How the model of the atom changed over time.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Protons, neutrons and electrons

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    The diagram shows an atom of lithium. How many neutrons does it have?

    −−−+++Li

    coral + = proton · grey = neutron · purple − = electron

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Which particle has a charge of −1?

    • A. proton
    • B. neutron
    • C. electron

  3. Question 3

    Atomic structure: which statement is true?

    • A. The plum pudding model is today's accepted model of the atom.
    • B. Protons and electrons have the same mass.
    • C. Neutrons have a negative charge.
    • D. An atom has no overall charge because it has equal numbers of protons and electrons.

  4. Question 4

    The diagram shows an atom of boron. How many electrons does it have?

    −−−−−+++++B

    coral + = proton · grey = neutron · purple − = electron

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Which particle is in the nucleus and its number defines the element?

    • A. proton
    • B. neutron
    • C. electron

  6. Question 6

    The diagram shows an atom of beryllium. How many electrons does it have?

    −−−−++++Be

    coral + = proton · grey = neutron · purple − = electron

    Answer

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Answer key: Protons, neutrons and electrons

  1. 1. 4

  2. 2. C. electron

  3. 3. D. An atom has no overall charge because it has equal numbers of protons and electrons.

  4. 4. 5

  5. 5. A. proton

  6. 6. 4