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Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Predict ion charges from the periodic table

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-1CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-2England: GCSE Combined Science: Bonding, structure and the properties of matter

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Predict ion charges from the periodic table.

  • 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: Electron shells and the periodic table

Leads to: Build ionic formulae from ion charges

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 (Electron shells and the periodic table). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. How many electrons does an atom of fluorine (atomic number 9) have in its outer shell? → 7Prompt: Fill the shells 2, 8, 8 in order.
  2. Why are noble gases so unreactive? (They have no electrons / They are liquids / Their outer shell is full / They are very heavy) → Their outer shell is fullPrompt: Atoms react to gain a full outer shell.
  3. How many electrons does an atom of carbon (atomic number 6) have in its outer shell? → 4Prompt: Fill the shells 2, 8, 8 in order.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Predict ion charges from the periodic table. 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: Phosphorus (P) is in group 15 (5). What charge does its ion have?
  • Step 1: It gains 3 electrons, so the ion is negative.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: 3−
  • Answer: 3−
  • 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. Lithium (Li) is in group 1. What charge does its ion have? (2+ / 1− / 1+ / 3−) → 1+Prompt: Metals lose their outer electrons; non-metals gain electrons to fill their outer shell.
  2. An atom of lithium (atomic number 3) forms its usual ion (charge 1+). How many electrons does the ion have? → 2Prompt: A neutral atom has as many electrons as protons.

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. An atom of sodium (atomic number 11) forms its usual ion (charge 1+). How many electrons does the ion have? → 10Prompt: A neutral atom has as many electrons as protons.
  2. What holds the ions together in sodium chloride? (strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions / shared pairs of electrons / weak forces between molecules / a sea of delocalised electrons) → strong electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ionsPrompt: Na⁺ and Cl⁻ have opposite charges.

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: Electron shells and the periodic table.
  • 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: Build ionic formulae from ion charges.
  • 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-9.

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

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Predict ion charges from the periodic table

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Why does magnesium oxide have a much higher melting point than sodium chloride?

    • A. Oxygen is a gas
    • B. Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ have larger charges, so the ionic bonds are stronger
    • C. Sodium chloride has no bonds
    • D. Magnesium oxide is covalent

  2. Question 2

    Potassium (K) is in group 1. What charge does its ion have?

    • A. 2+
    • B. 1+
    • C. 2−
    • D. 3−

  3. Question 3

    An atom of oxygen (atomic number 8) forms its usual ion (charge 2−). How many electrons does the ion have?

    Answer

  4. Question 4

    Why do sodium and chloride ions both end up with the electron arrangement 2,8?

    • A. They share electrons
    • B. They both gain electrons
    • C. Sodium gains seven electrons
    • D. Sodium loses one electron and chlorine gains one, both reaching a full outer shell

  5. Question 5

    Sulfur (S) is in group 16 (6). What charge does its ion have?

    • A. 1+
    • B. 1−
    • C. 3+
    • D. 2−

  6. Question 6

    An atom of phosphorus (atomic number 15) forms its usual ion (charge 3−). How many electrons does the ion have?

    Answer

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Answer key: Predict ion charges from the periodic table

  1. 1. B. Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ have larger charges, so the ionic bonds are stronger

  2. 2. B. 1+

  3. 3. 10

  4. 4. D. Sodium loses one electron and chlorine gains one, both reaching a full outer shell

  5. 5. D. 2−

  6. 6. 18