Atomic Theory Research Project
You will track the development and refinement of atomic theory and the models that resulted after each change. You and your group will do a short presentation (5-6 minutes) and write a short reflective essay (one page, double-sided) on your theorist. Keep in mind that the guiding idea for your essay should be: How is the ability to understand a fact of nature is limited by our ability to observe it?
Some links to help you are below.
1. BBC Bitesize
2. Modern Atomic Theory
3. Early Atomic Theory
4. Atomic Theory Timeline
Questions you should address in your presentation:
1. Who is your scientist/theorist and what were their scientific qualifications?
2. What specific particle did they study, or did they study the atom in general?
3. What kinds of experiments did they do? Describe in detail.
4. What was the name of their atomic model?
5. Provide a picture of the model.
6. Why did the model eventually have to be replaced, if it was replaced? In other words, models change because they can no longer sufficiently explain certain phenomena. Why did your assigned atomic model have to be replaced?
Some links to help you are below.
1. BBC Bitesize
2. Modern Atomic Theory
3. Early Atomic Theory
4. Atomic Theory Timeline
Questions you should address in your presentation:
1. Who is your scientist/theorist and what were their scientific qualifications?
2. What specific particle did they study, or did they study the atom in general?
3. What kinds of experiments did they do? Describe in detail.
4. What was the name of their atomic model?
5. Provide a picture of the model.
6. Why did the model eventually have to be replaced, if it was replaced? In other words, models change because they can no longer sufficiently explain certain phenomena. Why did your assigned atomic model have to be replaced?