General Chemistry · Module 2 · Atoms, isotopes and the periodic table

Atoms and Isotopes Lab

Build atoms and ions particle by particle, run your own gold-foil experiment, drill the isotope and atomic-mass calculations with worked solutions, sort the periodic table, and see isotopes and ions at work in medicine and the body. Nothing here is graded.

Part 1: Atom builder and gold-foil experiment

Proton (+) Neutron Electron (−) Stable Unstable (radioactive)

Electrons are drawn in simple shells (2, 8, 8, 2), a handy picture rather than real orbitals. The nucleus is drawn thousands of times too large. Stability data cover hydrogen to calcium.

Alpha particle (2+) Metal foil Histogram of scattering angles Plum-pudding prediction

Each alpha particle is scattered by one nucleus, using Rutherford's formula: the closer it passes, the larger the angle, and a bigger nuclear charge (Z) scatters more. Bars use a log scale so rare large angles stay visible. Rates are simplified (thin foil, single scattering).