Chemistry Curricula- Unit 2

Priority standard (PS), Target Standard (TS), Learning objectives (listed by 3-number code)

PS-2 Atomic Structure & nuclear chemistry- The structure of the atom is used to describe the physical and chemical properties of matter. By understanding how atoms interact through electron redistributions, changes in matter can be predicted.                                                           

  TS-2.1 History of the Atomic Model (Dalton through Rutherford)- Matter can be described as being composed of small, individual particles called atoms. The evolution of the atomic model is based on scientific investigations that build on previous knowledge                                                     

    2.1.1 Discuss our current understanding of Dalton’s four postulates (atoms are smallest, atoms combine in whole number ratios, Conservation of Mass, all atoms are identical) outlined in his atomic model   

Key Terms: Law of definite proportions, Law of multiple proportions, Law of conservation of mass

    2.1.2 Construct a model to explain Thomson’s results in finding electrons 

Key Terms: Cathode rays, cathode ray tube & Plum pudding model

    2.1.3 Explain how Rutherford used radioactive particles to identify the nucleus    

Key Terms: Radioactive particles, gold foil experiment & nucleus

  TS-2.2 Subatomic particles- Atoms are composed of smaller, subatomic particles which create the different properties of the elements                                                         

    2.2.1 Differentiate the three subatomic particles using mass, charge & location in atom     

Key Terms: atomic mass, % composition, mass number, weighted average, mass spectroscopy

    2.2.2 Explain how atomic number is used to identify an element

    2.2.3 Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in neutral or charged isotopes (ion).          

    2.2.4 Describe how isotopes of an element are different and how they are the same         

Key Terms:  isotope, mass number

    2.2.5 Calculate the atomic mass of an element using isotope masses & abundances           

  TS-2.3 Nuclear Chemistry- The stability of an atom is based on the composition of the nucleus.            

    2.3.1 Describe the three types of nuclear decay and what causes each       

Key Terms: alpha, beta & gamma decay, nuclear stability, radioisotope,

    2.3.3 Write radioactive equations based on radioactive isotope identity and decay pattern 

Key Terms: conservation of mass/energy, nuclear stability, radioisotope,

    2.3.4 Sketch a graph showing the decay rate of a radioactive isotope and identify its half-life       

Key Terms: decay rate, exponential rates, half-life

    2.3.5 Differentiate between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion       

    2.3.6 Discuss environmental & ecological issues associated with using nuclear energy

  TS-2.4 Electrons in atoms- The distribution of electrons is important in understanding how elements behave   

    2.4.1 Describe electromagnetic radiation in terms of wavelength, frequency & energy of photons/quanta 
            Key Terms: electromagnetic spectrum, waves, magnetic & electric fields, wavelength, frequency, energy

    2.4.2 Using the Bohr model, explain how electrons exist at specific energy levels within atoms     

Key Terms: energy levels, atomic spectra, spectral series (Lyman, Balmer & Paschen)

    2.4.3 Discuss how the quantum model has modified our understanding of the atomic model         

Key Terms: orbitals, electron configurations, quantum numbers, orbital diagrams, Aufbau Principle, Hund’s Rule & Pauli’s Exclusion Principle

    2.4.4 Construct electron configurations and orbital diagrams