Models of the atom from Democritus to Rutherford
A level 5–6 teaching activity using a play to develop an understanding of atomic structure and explore how scientific ideas change over time.
About this resource
The atom is composed of many different kinds of sub-atomic particles that are arranged in particular ways. Scientific knowledge about the atom has evolved as new evidence has been discovered. The discovery of sub-atomic particles changed how scientists view the atom. This is an area where students can gain an understanding of how science ideas change over time.
Models of the atom from Democritus to Rutherford
Levels: 5-6
Nature of science achievement aims: Understanding about science, communicating in science
Contextual strands: Material world
Topics: Atoms, ions, molecules
Learning activity
What you need
Copies of the play for students to use.
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Democritus to Rutherford understanding atomic structure (.doc)
For students: Starter questions
- How would early scientists have shown that matter was made of units too small to be seen?
- Why do you think scientists’ views of atomic structure have changed over time?
- How do scientists develop ideas about structures that are too small to see with the naked eye?
- Have scientists’ ideas about atoms changed over time only because their instrumentation has become more powerful?
- What might drive scientists to keep looking for new explanations?
For teachers: Guiding student exploration
Get students to read and/or act out the play.
Allow time for students to read through the play beforehand by themselves, with a buddy, or using technology as an aide.
Reflection questions for discussion
- Why do we need more than one type of model for complex phenomena? No one model can represent all the features of reality. (Where something is complex, scientists pick the model that is most relevant to the aspect under investigation.)
- How do scientists use other ideas to develop a better understanding? (For example, they build on other ideas either directly or by challenging them.)
- Do scientists have a complete understanding of the structure of atoms and how they act?
- How do models help scientists understand the complexities of subatomic particles?
- If you were going to extend this play to the modern day, whose ideas would you include and why?