How To Make A Model Of An Aluminum Atom For Students

An atom is a unit of matter that includes a dense central nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. An atom is the basic building block and makeup of everyday objects — even a chair, a desk and air are made up of atoms. Making a model of an aluminum atom can help students understand atoms, protons, and neutrons.

Step 1

Determine how many protons and neutrons the model should have, as well as how many levels of energy. Aluminum has 3 levels of energy, containing 13 protons/electrons and 14 neutrons.

Step 2

Cut three pieces of craft wire — one large, one medium and one small — or use pipe cleaners to create three rings in a later step.

Step 3

Create a nucleus using play dough or a Styrofoam ball. Pass the wire through it to mount it at the center of the atom.

Step 4

Make small balls from the play dough to represent each electron and mold it around the wire or pipe cleaner. Put 2 in the smaller, first ring, 8 in the middle, and 3 in the last, outside ring.

Step 5

Make a circle by joining the two ends of each craft wire or pipe cleaner, which will be an orbit.

Step 6

Hang the aluminum atom model from the ceiling using fishing line or string.