| Author |
Post |
|
|
|
|
I am looking for a cut & paste S, P, D, F electron orbital activity. A co-worker described an activity from her high school where they colored & cut the shapes of the different orbital and then fit them together to make a 3-D structure showing the overlapping orbitals. I hope to use this activity to help students better visualize and understand the relationship of the different orbital within the atom.
I'd love files, images, or directions of where I might find them. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Jordan and welcome to the discussion threads! I am not familiar with the cut and paste activity you were asking about, but I thought you might be interested in this website that provides an electronic way of 'Visualizing Atomic Orbitals'.
It would be great to hear from our Chemistry teachers out there - what are you doing in your high school classes to help your students understand orbitals?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jordan,
I am a bit perplexed by your question. An atomic orbital is An atomic orbital
bullet is derived using the mathematical tools of quantum mechanics,
It is a representation of the three-dimensional volume (i.e., the region in space) in which anelectron is most likely to be found,and it CANNOT be observed experimentally (electron density can, however, be observed experimentally). That said, I am not sure what the learning outcomes would be for this activity. I am concerned that students might come away thinking that orbitals are "certain" rather than probabilistic. I really like the analogies found here
http://kaffee.50webs.com/Science/activities/Chem/Activity.Electron.Configuration.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think I understand Pam's concern about the probability of the location of electrons in atomic "orbitals". I have wondered myself about the concreteness of the activity that I use to have students represent the distribution of electrons in orbitals and the impression that it leaves on them. That being the case, I limit it to a simple type of "orbital structure" just before Lewis dot structures. Students place electrons only according to the octet and pairing rules in order to show valence electrons. After Lewis dot, with electron configuration and s,p,d and f orbitals, students do not construct or manipulate electrons in orbitals. I show pictures on a Power Point of s,p,d and f orbitals for the spatial arrangement and probability of the location of electrons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I sometimes think that we really forget that we are teaching high school! Yes, electrons are not necessarily found in a distinct spot in an orbital...but we talk about the s, p, d, and f orbitals and the shapes of those different orbitals. I believe that the originial question is lookin at providing students with an understanding of the shapes of the various orbitals and letting students realize that electrons can be found anywhere within that area.
I graduated from a respected college in 2005 and in my chemistry classes, I was taught electron orbitals, lewis structures, the bohr model, and all of that. Despite the fact that it may not be the most current model of the atom(its changing all the time)...it is the most concrete model of the atom that a 15 year old can understand and visualize.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris, u seem very passionate, however, I always know my audience. I think Pam and I are passionate about the potential for conveying MISCONCEPTIONS however inadvertently and I agree with you and Pam.
The original post asked for, 'cut & paste S, P, D, F electron orbital activity.' I believe that sparked the concern and understand why.
Just to be consistent in avoiding misconceptions: orbital notation uses lower-case letters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I happen to use a whiteboard and then use post - it notes to un cover the elements and orbitals - I also found a few sites that help visualize periodicity http://chemreference.com/ or http://www.ptable.com/ orbitals for those who have special needs ... I've uploaded two files as well so that you are able to picture this as a starting point. I have taught Chemistry I/II A and B Applied - to Special needs students as well as General Ed. The color coding helps - I've also taught orbitals, electron config, quantum numbers with similar techniques.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry here is the other attachments
|
|
|
|
|
|
A quick search on the web found this lesson plan.
I like the idea of developing this model through historical perspective. It conveys to students that scientific models evolve with the empirical evidence found to support or refute them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year, we introduce electron orbital through a screen cast video in schooltube.com while students took notes on the video for homework.
http://www.schooltube.com/video/243a8eecd78143ad9abb/Screencast%202.5
http://www.schooltube.com/video/b57fb86b10ee467cb7dd/Screencast%202.6%20Electron%20Configuration
After the screencast videos, we discuss their notes in class and then give students practice worksheets, activities and labs.
To show the s, p, d, f models, the 3D models from this website:
http://chemtube3d.com/orbitals-p.htm was included in the screencast
The lab we used was Electron Probability Lab from Laying the Foundation (LTF) where students use beans and a large plastic target to visually represent the concept of electron probability for the location of an electron in atoms.
Then practice activity used was Hog Hilton Activity, http://www.dsd.k12.wi.us/faculty/SBAXTER/Unit%209%20Hog%20Hilton.pdf
Another practice activity was from the Laying the Foundation (LTF) lesson titled Electron Configuration, Orbital Notation and Quantum Numbers.
We have used this electron configuration tutorial that helped our students understand electron configuration and orbital diagrams.
alex.state.al.us/uploads/26293/ElectronConfigurationTutorial.ppt
|
|
|
|
|
|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc
I like this video for the dual wave-particle nature of electrons
|
|