PS.3 New SOL Curriculum Framework

Overview

PS.3 builds upon science standards 3.3, 5.4, and 6.4, which introduce basic concepts and terminology related to the atom. PS.3 focuses more specifically on the basic structure of the atom and how models have been and are used to explain atomic structure. It is intended that students will actively develop scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills, and the nature of science (PS.1) in the context of the key concepts presented in this standard.

PS.3 The student will investigate and understand the modern and historical models of atomic structure. Key concepts include a) the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr in understanding the atom; and b) the modern model of atomic structure.
The critical scientific concepts developed in this standard include the following: Many scientists have contributed to our understanding of atomic structure. The atom is the basic building block of matter and consists of subatomic particles (proton, neutron, electron, and quark) that differ in their location, charge, and relative mass. Protons and neutrons are made up of smaller particles called quarks. Size at the atomic level is measured on the nanoscale. Scientists use models to help explain the structure of the atom. Their understanding of the structure of the atom continues to evolve. Two models commonly used are the Bohr and the “electron cloud” (Quantum Mechanics) models. The Bohr model does not depict the three-dimensional aspect of an atom, and it implies that electrons are in static orbits. The “electron cloud” model better represents our current understanding of the structure of the atom.	In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will describe the historical development of the concept of the atom and the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr and other scientists (Schrödinger). differentiate among the three basic particles in the atom (proton, neutron, and electron) and their charges, relative masses, and locations. compare the Bohr atomic model to the electron cloud model with respect to its ability to represent accurately the three-dimensional structure of the atom.

PS.3 The student will investigate and understand the modern and historical models of atomic structure. Key concepts include

a) the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr in understanding the atom; and

b) the modern model of atomic structure.

Essential Understandings

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes

The critical scientific concepts developed in this standard include the following:

Many scientists have contributed to our understanding of atomic structure.
The atom is the basic building block of matter and consists of subatomic particles (proton, neutron, electron, and quark) that differ in their location, charge, and relative mass. Protons and neutrons are made up of smaller particles called quarks.
Size at the atomic level is measured on the nanoscale.
Scientists use models to help explain the structure of the atom. Their understanding of the structure of the atom continues to evolve. Two models commonly used are the Bohr and the “electron cloud” (Quantum Mechanics) models. The Bohr model does not depict the three-dimensional aspect of an atom, and it implies that electrons are in static orbits. The “electron cloud” model better represents our current understanding of the structure of the atom.

In order to meet this standard, it is expected that students will

describe the historical development of the concept of the atom and the contributions of Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr and other scientists (Schrödinger).
differentiate among the three basic particles in the atom (proton, neutron, and electron) and their charges, relative masses, and locations.
compare the Bohr atomic model to the electron cloud model with respect to its ability to represent accurately the three-dimensional structure of the atom.