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  • Dynamic Atoms

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter is about states of matter and a section of chemistry called thermodynamics which is the inspiration (or lack thereof) for the chapter title. The chapter might seem just a bit disconnected from the content…

  • Atoms and Cells

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the smallest parts of living and nonliving things. The probe is designed to determine how students distinguish between cells and atoms in living…

  • Atoms and Apples

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the size (in diameter) of atoms. It is designed to reveal how students use the crosscutting concept of scale to compare relative sizes by…

  • Neutral Atoms

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about neutral atoms. The probe is designed to reveal how students think about the relationship between fundamental particles inside the nucleus of an…

  • The Bohr Model of the Atom

    Journal Article |

  • Stories Told by Atoms

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth in the atoms. Activities are considered that can engage students at the “classroom-friendly” end of the learning spectrum. Understanding geochemical cycling and the…

  • Magnetism and Atomic Structure

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this lab is for students to apply what they have learned about atomic structure to explore ”What Relationships Exist Between the Electrons in a Substance and the Strength of Magnetic Attraction?” The…

  • Harnessing the Atom’s Power

    Book Chapter |

    In this lesson, students explore the process of nuclear fission from historical, scientific, and environmental perspectives. They focus on how nuclear fission is used in pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the type of…

  • Atoms and matter

    Journal Article |

  • Average Atomic Mass Simulation

    Book Chapter |

    In this activity, students will use a large number of small objects to find the average mass of the objects.

  • Atomic Structure and Electromagnetic Radiation

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this lab is for students to apply what they know about atomic structure to determine ”What Are the Identities of the Unknown Powders?” In this activity, students will learn about the importance of…

  • What If You Could Remove All the Atoms?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the particle model of matter. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that there is empty space between the atoms that make up an…

  • What Happens to Atoms During a Chemical Reaction?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about chemical change. The probe is designed to find out whether students recognize that the same kinds and numbers of atoms are present before and after…

  • What Do You Know About Atoms and Molecules?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about atoms and molecules. It is designed to reveal commonly held ideas students have about the structure and properties and provides students an…

  • Nanoforces in Nature: Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Explore Microbe-Mineral Interactions

    Book Chapter |

    This lesson uses computer simulations of an atomic force microscope to investigate bacteria-mineral forces of interaction on the order of nanonewtons over nanoscale distances of interaction. In this lesson, students…

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