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Science lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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 chlorine 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?
  2. Which family does potassium 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?
  3. Which family does neon belong to? (alkali metals (group 1) / halogens (group 17, also called group 7) / noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)) → noble gases (group 18, also called group 0)Prompt: Is it a soft metal, a coloured reactive non-metal, or an unreactive gas?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 found in shells around the nucleus? (proton / neutron / electron) → electronPrompt: Two of the particles are in the nucleus.
  2. Atomic structure: which statement is true? (The plum pudding model is today's accepted model of the atom. / Neutrons have a negative charge. / Electrons are found in the nucleus. / Atoms are mostly empty space.) → Atoms are mostly empty space.Prompt: Where is each particle, and what is its charge?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which particle has a charge of +1? (proton / neutron / electron) → protonPrompt: Two of the particles are in the nucleus.
  2. Atomic structure: which statement is true? (The plum pudding model is today's accepted model of the atom. / Electrons are found in the nucleus. / Most of the mass of an atom is in the nucleus. / Neutrons have a negative charge.) → Most of the mass of an atom is in the nucleus.Prompt: Where is each particle, and what is its charge?

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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which particle has a charge of +1?

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

  2. Question 2

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

    −−−−−−−−−+++++++++F

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

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    Atomic structure: which statement is true?

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

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

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

    −−−−−+++++B

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

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Which particle has a very tiny mass (about 1/1840 of a proton)?

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

  7. Question 7

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

    −−−−−−++++++C

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

    Answer

  8. Question 8

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

    −−−−−−−+++++++N

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

    Answer

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Answer key: Protons, neutrons and electrons

  1. 1. A. proton

  2. 2. 10

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

  4. 4. A. proton

  5. 5. 6

  6. 6. C. electron

  7. 7. 6

  8. 8. 7