Overview Standard 6.4 focuses on an understanding of the basic structure of the atom, including electrons, protons, and neutrons. The concepts defined in standard 6.4 build on students’ basic understanding of the concept of matter as introduced in science standards 3.3 and 5.4. Knowledge of basic chemistry concepts is fundamental to understanding the physical sciences, life processes, and Earth and environmental science ideas. It is intended that students will actively develop scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills, and the nature of science (6.1) in the context of the key concepts presented in this standard. Essential Understandings The concepts developed in this standard include the following: The basic structural components of a typical atom are electrons, protons, and neutrons. Protons and neutrons comprise the nucleus of an atom. An element is a form of matter made up of one type of atom. The atoms of an element are basically alike, though the number of neutrons may vary. The atoms of one element differ from those of another element in the number of protons. Elements can be represented by chemical symbols. Two or more atoms of different elements may combine to form a compound. Compounds can be represented by chemical formulas. Each different element in the compound is represented by its unique symbol. The number of each type of element in the compound (other than 1) is represented by a small number (the subscript) to the right of the element symbol. Chemical equations can be used to model chemical changes, illustrating how elements become rearranged in a chemical reaction. A limited number of elements, including silicon, aluminum, iron, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, form the largest portion of Earth’s crust, living matter, the oceans, and the atmosphere. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will create and interpret a simplified modern model of the structure of an atom. compare and contrast the atomic structure of two different elements.
Overview Standard 6.4 focuses on an understanding of the basic structure of the atom, including electrons, protons, and neutrons. The concepts defined in standard 6.4 build on students’ basic understanding of the concept of matter as introduced in science standards 3.3 and 5.4. Knowledge of basic chemistry concepts is fundamental to understanding the physical sciences, life processes, and Earth and environmental science ideas. It is intended that students will actively develop scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills, and the nature of science (6.1) in the context of the key concepts presented in this standard. Essential Understandings The concepts developed in this standard include the following: The basic structural components of a typical atom are electrons, protons, and neutrons. Protons and neutrons comprise the nucleus of an atom. An element is a form of matter made up of one type of atom. The atoms of an element are basically alike, though the number of neutrons may vary. The atoms of one element differ from those of another element in the number of protons. Elements can be represented by chemical symbols. Two or more atoms of different elements may combine to form a compound. Compounds can be represented by chemical formulas. Each different element in the compound is represented by its unique symbol. The number of each type of element in the compound (other than 1) is represented by a small number (the subscript) to the right of the element symbol. Chemical equations can be used to model chemical changes, illustrating how elements become rearranged in a chemical reaction. A limited number of elements, including silicon, aluminum, iron, sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, form the largest portion of Earth’s crust, living matter, the oceans, and the atmosphere. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will create and interpret a simplified modern model of the structure of an atom. compare and contrast the atomic structure of two different elements.
science-2010-curriculum-framework-6-ada.docx