Sublevel Orbitals of the Atom Models

Students Assemble Their Own Spatial 3-dimensional Models.

Students use specialty designed components to simplify rather abstract concepts. The models demonstrate the position and number of electrons along the x, y and z axes. They also demonstrate the orbitals of the sublevels of the major energy levels. As students assemble the models, they review the four quantum numbers and Pauli’s Exclusion Principle. They also identify the number and position of electrons in various atoms. A quantum numbers information chart is provided on each worksheet, making it easy for the students to build the model starting with the 1s orbitals. Color-coded components help distinguish the differences between s and p orbitals. Students construct models of several common elements in the lab exercise. This reinforces how the properties of a family of elements on the Periodic Table reflect the similarities in the electron configuration of their atoms. All material in this kit, for 12 students, is reusable.