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Science - Year 9 - History of the Atom: Home

A selection of resources to support Year 9 Science assessment: History of the Atom

Library Help - Referencing

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Remember Library Staff are available to assist with academic article searches and selection, and to review your references prior to assessment submission. Just submit a Library Helpdesk ticket and a member of the Library staff will be in touch.

Click HERE for the complete APA 7th Edition Reference Guide.

Click HERE for a printable PDF quick guide of the APA 7th Edition Reference Guide (copies are also available in the Library).

Key

Resource Key

When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:

brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)

provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.

lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)

Encyclopaedia Britannica

Description of Task

Our understanding of the physical world has grown at an incredible rate in the last 200 years. The key to the advances made in chemistry has been our growing knowledge about atoms. In this assessment task you will look at some of the early historical discoveries that helped us build up a useful 'working model' of the atom.
You are to prepare a model / series of models that show how our understanding of the structure of the atom has changed over time.

You will need to submit:

  • a model / series of models
  • a fact sheet
  • evaluation and reference list

This task has THREE main parts:

  • Part A : Model
  • Part B : Fact Sheet
  • Part C: Evaluation and Referencing
     

Part A: Model

You are to construct

  • a labelled, 3D model or series of models

           OR

  • a stop motion / clay motion video (this must be uploaded to CANVAS before 8.30am on the due date) that shows the changes that have occurred in our understanding of the atom

The model should:

  • have your student name, academic class clearly printed on the model
  • be submitted in an enclosed box that is no bigger than a shoe box
  • not use perishable materials (ie: food products)
  • not use expensive materials; try to use recycled materials where possible
  • not be made using power tools / electronics unless you have consulted with an adult

Part B: Fact Sheet

On a one, single sided A4 page about your model explain:

  • how our understanding of the atom has changed over time - you should include at least 5 different atomic structures and discuss the work done by the scientists that led them to this structure
  • you can include pictures to help explain your concept
  • make sure it is written in your own words, colourful and attention-grabbing

Make sure your model/s and fact sheet show the key changes in our understanding of the structure of the atom.

  • Scientists to consider: Dalton, Thomson, Lenard, Rutherford, Bohr, Chadwick

Helpful resources - some resources have been added to your Canvas page to help you
 

​​​​​​​Part C: Evaluation and Referencing

Evaluation

  • You must also include a ONE paragraph evaluation of your model that talks about how successfully your model/s shows the development of the structure of the atom
  • This should include both limitations and successes

Referencing

  • Your work must include APA in-text referencing to acknowledge the sources used in your research.
  • You must include a APA reference list
  • Make sure you use the APA referencing guidelines on the library website to guide you in this process - your teacher will spend one lesson going over this with you and providing you time to work on this.