History of the Atom Webquest Project

 

Introduction 
All matter is made of tiny particles called atoms. These atoms are so small that, in order to begin to see the atoms that make up a drop of water we would have to blow it up to a size of 15 miles across! These atoms are in turn made of even smaller particles called protons, neutron and electrons.  Everything that matter is and everything that matter does can be explained by the behavior of atoms!
How have scientists come to understand these particles we cannot see? How has this understanding changed and evolved over time? And what remains to be discovered? In a way, the scientists who have unraveled the properties of the atom have been like detectives solving parts of a mystery, with new mysteries arising out of every discovery.

Your Task
You will work as a team to research the scientists and experiments that have lead to our current understanding of the atom and its properties. You will work in a group assigned to one scientist.  Within each group you will research, and report on, the following-

  1. Biography: When did this scientist live? What was his or her education and background?  How did the     views of the scientific community influence their views and work?
  2. Discovery: What discovery is this scientist noted for?  For example, Thomson, Rutherford and Millikan are each noted for a landmark experiment.  What was it and what did it prove?
  3. Timeline: How did this discovery change our view of the atom or its properties? How did it influence future research?

Each group will prepare a 10-15 minute presentation to the class with the results of their research. You will use your poster and timeline as well as visuals/demonstrations.  They must be school appropriate or you will not receive credit.
You must divide the tasks so that all group members have a role in the research and the presentation. Active participation by all members of the group is required in order for the group to receive full credit for the assignment.

Each group will prepare a single poster of a timeline of the discovery of the scientist. You must note the date or period of the discovery, the major character and the advancement in our understanding of the atom that is associated with your assigned topic.  Focusing your timeline on the discoveries of your scientist will allow the timelines to be put together to show a complete timeline of all discoveries.   

Finally, each group will prepare a report of their research on the biography, discovery and timeline of their topic. This report should be about three pages; so about one page (plus or minus) should be devoted to each topic. Just hit the major points! This task may (and should) be divided between group members; but you must make the final product look like a single report; NOT a cut and paste of three reports.  * A note on sources: All sources must be cited. Your report must cite at least three sources and include a bibliography page.

FINAL PRODUCT SHOULD INCLUDE:  3 paged paper, timeline poster, powerpoint and /or other visuals to be used during the presentation. 
**  During the presentations, the rest of the class should be taking notes, there will be a quiz on the scientists and discoveries explained in the presentations. 

Resources

The following resources should get you started. If there are questions about your scientist below, they must be answered in your oral presentation and final report. In addition, use search engines on the Internet to find additional data and the hard copy resources available through the media center.

Every group should review the following site: A timeline of the atom: http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp
This site will tell you where your subject fits in the timeline and the main contribution of your subject; ALWAYS START HERE!!!

Other Sites and guidelines for your task:
1. John Dalton 
Early History of the atom:   
http://www.psigate.ac.uk/newsite/reference/plambeck/chem1/p01012.htm

Read the first two paragraphs "Greek Theory and Roman Practice" then scroll down and find "The Atomistic Philosophers"              
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp

How did the Greek philosophers defend their theories? How did their approach differ from what we call the "scientific method"?
What were the four basics ideas of John Dalton's theory? How did he arrive at his conclusions? What is the significance of Dalton's work?
For this task do the biography of John Dalton only and focus on how he changed our view of the atom.

2. Thomson and the discovery of the electron
http://www.aip.org/history/electron/
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp
Look at CRT experiment entry; not canal rays
http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/chemach/ans/jjt.html
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/AtomicStructure/Thomson-Model-Intro.html
What experiments did Thomson conduct? What was he investigating?
What hypothesis did Thomson develop based on his experiments?
What was Thomson's model of the atom?
Why were Thomson's results controversial?
What further research was needed?
How has our understanding of the electron changed since Thomson and Millikan?


3. Rutherford and the Atomic Nucleus
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/rutherford/
(Applet showing gold foil experiment conducted by Geiger and Mardsen)
http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/chemach/ans/er.html
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/AtomicStructure/Rutherford-Model.html
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp
Describe the gold foil experiment? What did Rutherford expect to see?
Why did the results surprise Rutherford? How did this experiment change the view of the atom developed by Thomson?


4. Robert Millikan's Oil Drop Experiment
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/HS/Staff/Buescher/atomtime.asp
Find Millikan to see timeline and main contribution
http://library.thinkquest.org/19662/low/eng/biog-millikan.html
(Biography of Robert Millikan- also see The Experiment)
http://www.bun.falkenberg.se/gymnasium/amnen/fysik/millikaneng.html
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/AtomicStructure/Determine-electron-charge.html
(a little too detailed)
What was Millikan's experiment? Did his experiment support the theory of the electron?
How did Millikan's experiment solve the problem that Thomson could not?
How has our understanding of the electron changed since Thomson and Millikan?


5. Marie Curie and Radioactivity
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/historical_background.html
http://www.nobel.se/chemistry/laureates/1911/marie-curie-bio.html
http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/chemach/ans/msc.html
http://www.aip.org/history/curie/resbr1.htm
Who was M. Curie's research partner?
What radioactive elements did M. Curie discover?
What is radioactivity?
How can an element change its identity?
What is a half-life?


6.  Henri Bequerel and Radioactivity
http://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/hs/teachers/buescher/atomtime.asp
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/historical_background.html
http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/chemach/ans/msc.html
http://www.aip.org/history/curie/resbr1.htm
What radioactive element did Bequerel discover?
How did Bequerel observe the property of radioactivity?
What is radioactivity?
How can an element change its identity?
What is a half-life?

More General References:
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/chemistry/links/chem1/Chapter3.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/19662/low/eng/main.html

Grading for History of the Atom
This project will be graded as 2 test grades.  Two separate rubrics will be used, one for the written report and the second for the oral presentation.  Rubrics are attached.