Atoms in substances

Atoms in substances

Auto-markingPencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about choosing the best diagram to represent the arrangement of atoms in 4 different substances.
The following diagrams represent five different arrangements of atoms. 
molecules-image-A.png
molecules-image-B.png
molecules-image-C.png
molecules-image-D.png
molecules-image-E.png
In these representations oxygen is given the white symbol and carbon the black symbol.

Question

a)  Which diagram shows water?  (Select one)

    • molecules-image-A.png

    • molecules-image-B.png

    • molecules-image-C.png

    • molecules-image-D.png

    • molecules-image-E.png

Question

b)  Which diagram shows graphite?  (Select one)

    • molecules-image-A.png

    • molecules-image-B.png

    • molecules-image-C.png

    • molecules-image-D.png

    • molecules-image-E.png

Question

c)  Which diagram shows oxygen?  (Select one)

    • molecules-image-A.png

    • molecules-image-B.png

    • molecules-image-C.png

    • molecules-image-D.png

    • molecules-image-E.png

Question

d)  Which diagram shows carbon monoxide?  (Select one)

    • molecules-image-A.png

    • molecules-image-B.png

    • molecules-image-C.png

    • molecules-image-D.png

    • molecules-image-E.png

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with auto-marking displayed to students).
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Material World
Keywords: 
structure of matter, molecules, molecular models, diagrams
Description of task: 
Students are provided with five diagrams of different arrangements of atoms. They select which diagram represents water, graphite, oxygen, and carbon monoxide.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to develop an understanding of how symbols are used to represent different molecular structures.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
   Y10 (11/1997)
a) molecules-image-E.png difficult
b) molecules-image-D.png moderate
c) molecules-image-A.png difficult
d) molecules-image-B.png difficult
Teaching and learning: 
Students need to know the molecular arrangements for
  • water, e.g., H2O,
  • graphite, e.g., C,
  • oxygen, e.g., O2 and
  • carbon monoxide, e.g., CO
to correctly answer this question.
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Analysis of Responses
a) 21% of students chose molecules-image-C.png
c) 36% of students chose molecules-image-C.png
d) 29% of students chose molecules-image-E.png