Atomic structure (negligible electron mass)
I can describe the physical characteristics of atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons.
Atomic structure (negligible electron mass)
I can describe the physical characteristics of atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Electrons have a relative charge of -1 and roughly a relative atomic mass of 1/1835 (negligible).
- Protons are found in the atomic nucleus, have a relative electric charge of +1, and a relative mass of 1.
- Neutrons are found in the atomic nucleus, have no electric charge, and a relative mass of 1.
- An atom has no electric charge as it contains equal numbers of protons and electrons to balance the charge.
- The atom has a nucleus surrounded by electrons, with the nuclear radius much smaller than that of the atom.
Keywords
Electron - An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge and a very small relative mass of 1/1835 (negligible).
Proton - A proton is a subatomic particle with a positive charge and a relative atomic mass of 1.
Neutron - A neutron is a subatomic particle with no charge and a relative atomic mass of 1.
Nucleus - A nucleus is found in the centre of an atom. It consists of protons and neutrons. It is significantly smaller in size than the atom.
Subatomic - Anything that is smaller than an atom. There are three subatomic particles called electrons, protons and neutrons.
Common misconception
Students often struggle with the idea of how small an atom actually is. In contrast, how small the nucleus is, relative to the size of the atom.
The use of units and numbers to show the difference in size, e.g. the atom is approximately 10, 000 times larger than the nucleus. The radius of the atom is 0.1nm and the nucleus very small compared to that of the atom.
To help you plan your year 10 combined science lesson on: Atomic structure (negligible electron mass), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 combined science lesson on: Atomic structure (negligible electron mass), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Atomic structure and the periodic table unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
-1
+1
0