How to Build a Model of a Calcium Atom
Neils Bohr described atomic structure as a positive core surrounded by circling electrons. The Bohr model has been used to teach chemistry to students for nearly a century. Models can be made from pom-poms and wire, styrofoam balls, papier mache or ping pong balls. A little imagination and a few inexpensive supplies can create an accurate 3D model of a Bohr atomic model calcium atom.
Materials:
- Glue
- Tissue paper
- Colored balls: 20 white; 20 blue; 20 yellow
- Balloons
- Thin or medium craft wire
- Have a periodic table to reference the element calcium. It has 20 protons, 20 nutrons in the nucleus. Four shells containing two electrons in the first shell, eight in the second and third and two electrons in the fourth shell.
- Blow up four balloons in graduating sizes like a nesting doll. Allow room to place balls within the papier mache half spheres.
- Mix two tablespoons of glue in two tablespoons of water.
- Apply a single sheet of tissue paper over balloons. Allow to dry.
- Glue white and blue colored balls of textural choice alternating color pattern representing the nucleus of the Ca atom. Cover with a single layer of tissue papier mache.
- When the papier mache covering each of the balloons has dried, pop all balloons.
- Cut spheres in half, being careful to keep the bowls intact.
- Glue the wires into the nucleus in varying lengths corresponding to the electron's shell pattern for a calcium atom.
- Puncture the wires through the levels of the half-spheres. Attach the yellow balls representing the electrons into each layer before adding the next sphere.
- First hemisphere should have two opposing electrons.
- Second hemisphere should have eight electrons set exactly oppose to each other.
- Third hemisphere, same as second, except the electrons should balance perpendicular to the second hemisphere.
- Fourth hemisphere electrons should be perpendicular to electrons in first hemisphere.