The Making an Ion Lab interactive is an adjustable-size file that displays nicely on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. It's use on phones is at best questionable. The size of the Interactive can be scaled to fit the device that it is displayed on. The compatibility with iPads, other tablets, and Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom.

 

Our Making an Ion simulation models ion formation for elements with atomic numbers 1 through 20. The atom is first built by moving electrons into its electron shells surrounding a nuclear core. The number of protons is identified and the number of electrons in the outermost shell is updated as each electron flies in (we don't show the electron wings). Once students tap on the Ionize Me button, electrons are added or removed to form an electronically stable atom. Students can watch as electrons fly out or fly in to stablize the electron shell. A count of the number of protons, the number of electrons, and the charge is maintained during the electron transitions. The number of valence electrons is also displayed. Tapping the Neutralize Me button reverses the effect.

This is a great introductory activity for the topic of ion formation. We recommend saving it until students have learned about electron shells. A unit on chemical bonds would be a great placement for it. An understanding of the concept of a stable octet of electrons is one of the obvious learning outcomes of this activity. Students also recognize that there are patterns assoicated with the various groups of the periodic table.

We gave a lot of thought as to what to do with elements like the noble gases (that don't form ions), Group 14 elements (that rarely form ions), and hydrogen (that forms both +1 and -1 ions). We decided to leave notes regarding the behavior of these elements as opposed to ionizing them.

Classrooms can simply open the Interactive and explore the ideas. Or if desired, The Physics Classroom has prepared a student activity sheet for a more directed experience. The focus of the activity is on discovering patterns as to how elements in various groups form ions. An emphasis is placed on whether the atom gains or loses electrons and how many electrons are gained or lost. A comparison is made of the electron shell of an ion and that of a nearby noble gas. The activity ends with students writing a paragraph in which they describe their model of how and why atoms form ions. View Activity Sheet.

Our Making an Ion simulation is now available with a Concept Checker that coordinates closely with out Activity Sheet. Do the simulation with the help of the Activity Sheet. Then follow it up with the Concept Checker. Student progress is saved for classrooms with a Task Tracker subscription.

 

 

 

You will find numerous activities and resources on our website that would complement this activity. Here are a few you may be interested in:

Chemistry Tutorial: Chemical Bonding Chapter, Lesson 1b
Our Tutorial page on on Ions and Ionic Bonds is a great complement to this exercise. 

Concept Builder: Ionic Bonding
Our Ionic Bonding Concept Builder is a great follow-up to this activity. It includes three scaffolded activities that interactively lead the student to understand ionic bonding as the bond that forms between metal and nonmetal elements through the transfer of electrons. There are a total of 38 questions organized into 14 different Question Groups and spread across the three activities. Question-specific help is provided for each of the 14 situations. Questions in the same Question Group are similar questions. Student progress is tracked and saved for Task Tracker classes.

Science Reasoning Center: The Periodic Table, Ions, and Ionic Compounds
Our interactive The Periodic Table, Ions, and Ionic Compounds science reasoning activity is also a great follow-up to our Make an Ion simulation. It includes five scaffolded activities that begin with an investigation of the substructure of atoms and ions. Then students explore the formation of ions by atoms of main group elements. Finally, the last two activities pertain to the ratio by which atoms of elements combine to form ionic compounds. Each activity places an emphasis upon the connection between the chemistry concept and the family properties of elemental groups on the Periodic Table. The activity addresses the HS-PS1-1 Performance Expectation of the Next Generation Science Standards.

 

 

We owe a special thanks to Physics and Chemistry teacher Chris Bruce (Nerd Island Studios | SimBucket) for creating this simulation.