CHF Chemistry WebQuest #2 - Teacher's Guide Evidence for Atoms < Back | Home | Student Version | Next >

Answers to Student Questions

Purpose

The purpose of this WebQuest is to familiarize the students with the basic principles of atomic theory that form the foundation of modern chemistry. The activity is designed to demonstrate how science works and the nature of scientific knowledge. This is done by requiring the students to explore the evidence Dalton would have had available, and to consider how Dalton drew his conclusions from that evidence. By showing science in action as it develops, the students can come to a better understanding of what science is and how science works.

Carrying Out the Activity

This WebQuest is designed to be done by students working individually, though you may choose to use it as a group activity. The task of the WebQuest is fairly straightforward; it asks the students to prepare a report that answers a set of specific questions. To make grading easier, suggested point values are listed next to each question.

Additional Teacher Resources

#638. Law of Multiple Proportions—a demonstration that illustrates some consequences of the law of multiple proportions created by Kelly O'Sullivan, from teachers.net.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes—The activity requires students to look at how observed evidence led to the formulation of the models and explanations that now form modern atomic theory. Furthermore, students must learn in this activity how those theories explain the interactions of the components of chemical reaction systems.

Physical Science—The atomic nature of matter is central to the activity, as is the formation of molecules by the joining of atoms through chemical reactions.

History and Nature of Science—The activity focuses on one story from the history of chemistry, and in doing so illustrates the nature of scientific knowledge.

This CHF Chemistry WebQuest was created by Mark Michalovic.