It’s Element-ary

Standards

S8P1. Students will examine the scientific view of the nature of matter.

a. Distinguish between atoms and molecules.

f. Recognize that there are more than 100 elements and some have similar properties as shown on the Periodic Table of

Elements

Essential Questions

1. How are elements arranged (and grouped) in the periodic table?

2. Describe the significance of elements.

Background Information

The history of the periodic table is like a detective story that spans many centuries. Although most of the elements on Earth have been around for billions of years, scientists have had to do some sleuthing to find each element’s unique identity. The ancient Greeks knew nine elements, including gold, sulfur, copper, and carbon. These elements, which are found in almost pure form as minerals, are called native elements. In 1669, Hennig Brand was the first scientist to actively search for and isolate an element. It was phosphorus. After that, many other scientists looked for other elements. In fact, seventy-four other elements were discovered between 1737 (cobalt) and 1925 (rhenium). The contributions of history’s “elemental” detectives have helped build the modern periodic table—a chemist’s best friend.

Task

1. Periodic Changes

Find older versions of the periodic table in textbooks and encyclopedias from the last 75 years.

How has the periodic table changed?

How is it the same?

On a modern periodic table, label the dates when 10 of the elements were discovered.

How are new elements discovered and added to the periodic table? Write a report and make a poster display to illustrate your findings.

Research Ideas

2. Each element has a story to tell. Pick one element from the periodic table (above and place an X on it) to research.

When was it discovered?

How did the element get its name?

What are its properties?

What are its uses?

Is the element found in any common materials?

How is it obtained?

Report your findings in the form of a story written from the element’s point of view.

3. That’s a killer element! Some transition metals, including cadmium, nickel, mercury, and lead, are hazardous to

human health.

Find out more about how these elements are used and why they are dangerous.

Write a brochure that outlines the precautions one should take to prevent poisoning people and polluting the environment when using these metals.

4. Did you know that your blood is full of metal? Your body needs iron to stay healthy. Most of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, the chemical in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.

Find out more about the properties of elemental iron and the compound hemoglobin.

How much iron do you need daily?

Where do you get iron in your diet?

Write your findings in the form of a magazine article.

Research Report Rubric: Its Element-ary

Students Name: ______

CATEGORY / 35points / 25points / 15points / 5points / Points
Organization / Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings. / Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs. / Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed. / The information appears to be disorganized. 8)
Quality of Information / Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. / Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. / Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. / Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Diagrams & Illustrations / Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate and add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic. / Diagrams and illustrations are accurate and add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic. / Diagrams and illustrations are neat and accurate and sometimes add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic. / Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader\'s understanding of the topic.
Sources / All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format. / All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. / All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. / Some sources are not accurately documented.

Submitting the project on time (Tuesday 10/25/11): 10pts

Total points: ______/150pts

Student’s comments : ______

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Teacher’s comments: ______

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