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About This Unit
In this unit, you’ll explore the foundation of chemistry: the structure of the atom. We’ll learn how chemists use models, data, and the periodic table to explain the properties of elements and how they interact. You’ll see how atoms, though too small to observe directly, can be understood through evidence like spectroscopy and periodic trends.
We’ll practice using scientific representations such as electron configurations, periodic tables, and photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) graphs to explain atomic structure. A big focus is on identifying patterns, like why elements in the same group behave similarly, and connecting those patterns to chemical theories.
This unit also prepares you for the AP exam by helping you make claims backed with evidence. You’ll work on not just memorizing trends, but understanding why they exist, using concepts like Coulomb’s law and electron interactions. By the end of Unit 1, you’ll have the tools to describe atoms, explain their behavior, and connect models to real-world chemistry.
Essential Questions
- How can the same element be used in nuclear fuel rods and fake diamonds?
- How can large quantities of objects be counted without weighing?
- If atoms are too small to be observed directly, how do we know how they’re structured?
- Why does the periodic table have the shape that it does?
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