Atomic Structure and Isotope Abundance: An Activity for General Chemistry

Cassandra P. Lilly^1, , Ana Ison¹, Alexandra B. Ormond² and Barbara Diamond²

¹Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, 2620 Yarbrough Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8204, United States

²Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Geoscience, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States

Cite this paper:
Cassandra P. Lilly, Ana Ison, Alexandra B. Ormond and Barbara Diamond. Atomic Structure and Isotope Abundance: An Activity for General Chemistry. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024; 12(4):87-92. doi: 10.12691/wjce-12-4-3

Abstract

There are limited general chemistry laboratory experiments that align with the atoms first approach lecture topics. An atomic structure lab experiment was developed to be implemented in the first weeks of the semester for students to learn how to use a balance, describe atomic structure and isotopes, plot data in MS Excel, and practice algebra skills early in the semester. The lab activity was completed at two different institutions during Fall 2023, Meredith College and North Carolina State University. The activity consists of three parts: 1) plot average atomic mass vs. atomic number and use linear regression line to identify an unknown, 2) weigh different isotope models and find the average atomic mass given the isotope compositions, and 3) weigh isotope models and calculate the percent isotope abundance for each model given the identity of the element. Pre- and post-lab quizzes were administered to assess the learning objectives and student feedback was collected for the activity through a post-lab survey.

Keywords:
High School/Introductory Chemistry First-Year Undergraduate / General Laboratory Instruction Hands-On Learning/Manipulations Atomic Properties/Structure

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