UNIFIED LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Science 8, Quarter 3, Weeks 5-6

The Subatomic Particles

Name: ____________________________________ Section: ____________________

Learning Objective
By the end of this science lesson, the learners shall enable to determine
the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in a particular atom (S8MT-
IIIe-f-10).
Sub-Tasks: Specifically, after going through this learning activity, the
learners are expected to:
1. Identify sub-atomic particles and structure of an atom.
2. Describe the important features of protons, electrons and neutrons.
3. Compare and contrast the subatomic particles in an atom.
4. Determine the relationship between the atomic number of an atom, its
mass number, and the number of subatomic particles.
Time Allotment: 10 days
Key Concepts
Matter
 Matter is made up of atoms. An atom
is composed of negatively charged
particles, called electrons (e-), which
surround a positively charged nucleus.
The nucleus is the central core of an
atom. It consists of positively charged
protons (p+) and electrically neutral
neutrons (n). An electron and a proton
have the same magnitude of electric
charge, but the charges are different.
The charge on the electron is
designated negative ( － ) and that on
the proton positive (+).
Figure 1. Diagram of Nitrogen
Source: Chegg
Properties of Sub-atomic Particles

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 Source:
https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/3890-2/
ch104-atoms-and-the-periodic-table/

Atomic Number (Z)

 The atomic number (Z) is the identification number of an element. The

atomic number is equal to the number of protons which is also equal to
the number of electrons, assuming that the charge of an element is
neutral. Let’s say, carbon (C) whose atomic number is 6, the number of
protons is also 6, and the number of electrons is 6 as well.
 Since the number of protons in the atoms of a particular element is
always the same, the atomic number of an element is fixed.
Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons
Z = p+ = e-
Examples:
Carbon atoms contain 6 protons, therefore they have the atomic number 6.
Calcium atoms contain 20 protons, therefore they have the atomic number
20.

 The periodic table arranges elements based on their atomic number. The
atomic number of an element is written above its chemical symbol.
Mass Number (A)
 The mass number (A) of an atom is the sum of the number of protons
and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
Mass number = atomic number + number of neutron
A=Z+n

Example: Carbon atoms contain a mass number of 12, therefore they have
the atomic number 6 and neutron number 6.
Charge (q)
 The charge (q) of an atom is determined as the difference on the number
of electrons from the number of protons.
Charge = number of protons - number of electrons
q = p+－ e-

Example: Sodium has a 1+ charge, therefore it has 1 more proton (excess)

than the electron.
Neutron (n)
 The number of neutrons in an atom can be determined by subtracting
the number of protons (atomic number) from the mass number.
Number of neutrons = mass number - atomic number
Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 n = A －Z

Example: If Na has a mass number of 23 and it is atomic number 11,

therefore its number of neutrons is 14.
Shorthand Notation of an Atom (Na)

Figure 2. Shorthand Notation for an Atom or Ion (Na)

(Note: 1+ charge can be written as +)
Source: Quizlet

 The shorthand notation for an atom or ion is represented by the picture

above (See figure 1). It is commonly seen on periodic table depicting the
different elements. The letter(s) at the centre of the notation represents
the element that it is replacing. his number is present at the top left
corner of the notation. This represents the total number of protons and
neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. This number and sign is present at
the top right corner of the notation. This can help determine the number
of electrons in the atom.

 Atoms may gain charges, this happens when electrons are lost or gained
by the atom. When this happens, the atom becomes an ion.

Isotope
 While the number of protons is the same with atoms of a particular
element, the number of neutrons may vary. Atoms having the same
number of protons but different number of neutrons are referred to as
isotopes.
 Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of
neutrons but the same number of protons and electrons.
 The isotopes are identified through their mass number which is the sum
of the number of protons and the number of neutrons in an atom. A
shorthand notation for isotope includes the element’s symbol and mass
number, for instance, Ca-40.

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 Figure 3. The isotope lithium-7 has the atomic number 3 & the mass number
7.
Source: Good Science
 Since they have the same number of protons, isotopes are different
forms of the same element.
Example
Boron atoms contain 5 protons. There are two isotopes of boron – one
containing 5 neutrons and one containing 6 neutrons. These isotopes
therefore have the atomic number 5 and mass numbers 10 and 11
respectively. They can be written as boron-10 and boron-11, or as 410B
and 411B

Activities

Activity 1: Word Talent

Objective: To be able to identify sub-atomic particles and structure of an
atom.
What you need: Paper and pen
What to do: Label the appropriate terms in the diagram given below.

Figure 4. Diagram of a Hypothetical Atom

Source: Quizlet
Guiding Question:
1. How would you define the terminologies answered on the respective
boxes? Give at least a 2-sentence statement for each item.
Activity 2: Read Between the Lines
Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
Objective: To describe the important features of protons, electrons and
neutrons.
What you need: Paper and pen
What to do: Read the poem below carefully.Write your answers on your
paper.
WANNA KNOW ME?
by: Marygrace E. Nanol

I am everywhere,
I made up everything big or small,
Short or tall, living or non-living,
Solid, liquid or gas.
And I’m very proud of it!

In fact, I made you beautiful with your hair.

Don’t you know that across the width of your hair
Consist of about one million of me?
Minute as I am,
Yet composed of three different characteristics.
The optimistic or the hopeful proton,
The pessimistic or the despair electron,
And the unbiased neutron.
Over-all I am a fair, neutral atom.

Guiding Questions: From the poem above, answer the following questions.
1. Who am I?
2. Am I visible?
3. What are the 3 sub-atomic particles of atom and give its charges.

Activity 3. Atomic Calculations Worksheet

Objectives:
1. To locate the atomic numbers of elements/isotopes in a
periodic table,
2. To determine the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons.
What you need: paper, ballpen, ruler, periodic table of elements
What to do:
1. With the use of the periodic table of elements, locate the atomic
number and atomic mass of an element. Round-off the atomic
mass.
2. Complete the tables below, the first two is answered for your
reference.
3. Use the formula: mass number = atomic number + number of
neutrons
For neutral atoms: Atomic number = # of protons = # of electrons
For isotopes: Atomic number = # of protons; # of electrons vary
Charge = number of protons - number of electrons
Table 1. Neutral Atoms

Element Atomic Atomic Numbe Number Number Shorthan

Numbe Mass/Mas r of of of d

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 proton electron neutron
r s Number Notation
s s s
12
Carbon 6 12 6 6 6 6 C

Iron 56 26

Silver 47 61

Potassiu
19 20
m

Lithium 7 4

Table 2. Isotopes
Number Number Number
Element Shorthand
Isotope of of of Charge
Name Notation
protons electrons neutrons
14
N-14 Nitrogen 7 0 7 N0

Fluorine 9 10 -1

Neon 10 10

Mg-24 12 10

Al-27 +3

S-32 0

K-35

Guiding Question:
1. How is the number of electrons for a neutral atom of a given element
related to the atomic number of that element?
2. Why atoms are considered the “basic building blocks” of matter even
though smaller particles, such as protons and electrons, exist?
Activity 4. Similarities and differences of the sub-atomic particles
Objectives: To compare and contrast the 3 sub-atomic particles.
What you need: Paper and pen
What to do: Using a Venn diagram, indicate the differences and similarities
of the three sub-atomic particles.

Proton Electron

Subatomic
Authors: QA Validator:
Particles
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 Neutron

Reflection
1. Based on the lesson, how is atomic structure relevant to our daily life?
Understanding these concepts gives you an idea on how atoms are arranged
accordingly. Subatomic particles give you a clearer point of view to
understand the different elements.
2. Rutherford’s atomic theory proposed a dense nucleus surrounded by very
small electrons. This implies that atoms are composed mainly of empty
space. If all matter is mainly empty in space, why is it impossible to walk
through walls or pass your hand through your desk?
Rubric for Scoring
Task 5 points 3 points 1 point
There are clear ideas Some ideas are Ideas are not
Conten
and supported by the supported by supported by the
t
concepts. the concepts. concepts.
Generally Attempts to address
Fully addresses the
Focus addresses the the prompt but ideas
prompt.
prompt. are not clear.

References for Learners

Book
BEAM III. Unit 1.4.
EASE Science II. Module 10. Lesson 2.
Science 8, Learner’s Module, Department of Education, Republic of the
Philippines Brady, J. E., & Senese,F. (2004). Chemistry: Matter and its
changes (4th ed.). River Street Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley& Sons, Inc.
Websites
https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5c38c58ca2e842001b4b7111/calculating-
protons-neutrons-electrons-and-isotopes

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
http://web.arc.losrios.edu/~borougt/
Geology305_MineralsHomework_Spring_2015.pdf
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/the-
structure-of-the-atom/
http://bohr.winthrop.edu/faculty/grossoehme/link_to_webpages/courses/
chem125x/Resources/week2activites.pdf
https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/3890-2/
ch104-atoms-and-the-periodic-table/
Image Credits

Fig. 1. Chegg Study. Question: Use your knowledge of atomic structure to

label this diagra…Accessed January 27, 2021.

https://media.cheggcdn.com/media/d18/d18c1220-20c7-4abe-a105-48
2f3ebfe49c/phpgAc0C5.png
. brainly.in. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://hi-static.z-
dn.net/files/d47/a0a476c8ab53d7199416d4f89c5b6 400.jpg
Fig. 2. Flajapi1337. Physics/chemistry: nuclear. quizlet.com.
Accessed January 27, 2021.
https://quizlet.com/cdn-cgi/image/f=auto,fit=cover,h=100,onerror=red
irect,w=120/https://o.quizlet.com/R7RcOB6n3tA-836gBmMzXA.png

Fig. 3. Good Science. Atomic number, mass number and isotopes.

goodscience.com.au. Accessed January 27, 2021.
https://www.goodscience.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/isotop
e-symbols.jpg

Fig. 4. Cassandra, Bird5. Label the atom. quizlet.com.

Accessed January 27, 2021.
https://quizlet.com/523944757/label-the-atom-diagram/

Answer Key

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 Activity 1. Word Talent

Electron

Neutron
Nucleus
Proton

Orbital
Guiding Question
Answers may vary.

Activity 2: Read Between the Lines

1. Atom
2. No
3. Proton: +1; Electron: -1; Neutron: 0

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School
 Activity 3. Atomic Calculations Worksheet
Atomic Number Number Number
Atomic Shorthand
Element Mass/Mass of of of
Number Notation
Number protons electrons neutrons

Carbon 6 12 6 6 6 6
12
C

Iron 26 56 26 26 30 26
56
Fe

Silver 47 108 47 47 61 47
108
Fe

Potassium 19 39 19 19 20 19
39
Fe

Lithium 3 7 3 3 4 3
7
Li

Number Number Number

Element Shorthand
Isotope of of of Charge
Name Notation
protons electrons neutrons

N-14 Nitrogen 7 7 7 0 7
14
N0

F-19 Fluorine 9 10 10 -1 9
19
F1-

Ne-20 Neon 10 10 10 0 10
20
Ne

Mg-24 Magnesium 12 10 12 +2 12
24
Mg+2

Al-27 Aluminum 13 10 14 +3 13
27
Al+3

S-32 Sulfur 16 16 16 0 16
32
S

K-35 Potassium 19 19 16 0 19
35
K

Guiding Questions
1. They are of the same value.
2. Atoms are the smallest particle of an element that retains the properties
of that element

Activity 4. Similarities and differences of the sub-atomic particles

Answers may vary.

Reflection
Answers may vary.

Authors: QA Validator:
Marygrace E. Nanol Kenny James A. Cubero
Surigao del Norte National High School Surigao del Norte National High School
Amelita B. Ajoc
Amando A. Fabio Memorial National High School