Chemical Elements: No Longer A Mystery?

Intropic

Hydrogen

 

 

           Mercury

 

 

                           Antimony

 

    Most people recognize hydrogen and are fearful of mercury, but what do you really know about these chemical elements?  How were they discovered? How did they get their names?  What are their properties?  These questions will be addressed as you research one of these elements.  As you complete this webquest, you will find out how, when, and where your element was discovered, what are its physical and chemical properties, how it is used, and various other pieces of valuable information.

   Click on the links below to find out your task, the process and resources you are to use to complete your task and finally how you will be evaluated.

    

 

TASK

  • Select an element from the Periodic Table that has not already been researched
  • Complete the Element Choice Form and have your choice approved
  • Investigate how, when, where, and by whom, your element was discovered
  • Determine your element's physical properties 
  • Determine your element's chemical properties 
  • Investigate the uses of you element
  • Present this information about your element on the 20 sides of an  icosahedron -- See examples at right

smflapin

Silver Icosahedron

Zirconium Icosahedron

smflapout

 

    

 

PROCESS and RESOURCES

  • The elements that are available to you this year are the elements NOT in pink at the following link -- Chemical Elements Available.
  • Choose one element that you would like to research, print and complete the Element Choice Form and return it to your instructor.  Be sure to include second and third choices on the form.  Your instructor will indicate which element you will be researching at the bottom of your slip and return it to you.  Once you receive an approval for you element choice, start researching.  You should have selected your element by the date noted on your assignment sheet.
  • Gather your information --Who discovered?  How?  When?  Where?  Physical properties?  Chemical properties?  Uses, etc.  (Use sources in the list below.  Online sources are hyper-linked and sources in the classroom are displayed in maroon text.  Please feel free to gather information from other resources as well.  These are given to provide you with a starting place.)  Place all your information on 3" x 5" note cards.  Note the source of the information on each of your note cards too.  This will make it easier for you when you cite your sources and prepare your bibliography.
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (CRC) Available in the Chemistry classroom
Merck Index Available in  the Chemistry classroom
Exploring Chemical Elements and Their Compounds Available in  the Chemistry classroom
Braving the Elements Available in  the Chemistry classroom
Discovery of the Elements Available in  the Chemistry classroom
American Chemical Society's Periodic Table Contains information about all of the elements. Once you open this page, click on the element and a box will open with information about that element.

Interactive Periodic Table

Scroll down to the Periodic Table and click on your element's symbol to link to information about your element.
WebElements Periodic Table Scroll down to the Periodic Table and click on the element's symbol to link to information about your element.

Visual Periodic Table

Contains information about all of the elements.  Once you open this page, double click on the PERIODIC TABLE button in the lower, middle portion of the screen.

Nuclear Decay Information

Contains information about all of the elements.  Click on the isotope for the particular element that you desire decay information about. A new window will open and then you can follow the decay process for that isotope.

Virtual Chemical Dictionary

Contains a dictionary of Chemical terms with an index at the top of the page.

It's Elemental

Chemical + Engineering News. Contains information about all the elements. Click on the element to obtain the information.
  • You must use at least one non-electronic source and three electronic sources.  Once you have determined what sources you are going to use, prepare a ROUGH draft bibliography and turn in to your instructor.  This can be hand-written or word-processed and correct citation format should be used.  Consult your assignment sheet for the final due date of your rough draft bibliography.
  • Using the note cards you made, prepare 20 - 3" x 5" note cards that illustrate how you are going to describe your element on the 20 faces of your icosahedron.  Place a title on each note card.  Prepare a Concept Map to illustrate how the information on your cards is connected to the various aspects of your element.  Use only the titles on your note cards in your concept map.  Turn the note cards and concept map into your instructor.  Consult your assignment sheet for their final due date.
  • Transfer the information on your 20 note cards to the 20 "faces" that will make your  icosahedron.  You should plan your 20 faces before preparing them; 10 of them will have the base (bottom) of the equilateral triangle at the top and 10 will have it at the bottom.  (See the Silver Icosahedron in the TASK section.)  The pattern for the icosahedron faces can be found by clicking on "faces" above.  This pattern is a Word file.   The triangles should be between 4-5 inches on the sides. The faces can be assembled with the flaps IN, OUT, or any combination that you choose.  Attach a hanger -- string, ribbon, wire, etc. -- to the top of your icosahedron.  Click below to view a stepwise illustrated guide on how to assemble the icosahedron.

    Icosahedron Assembly 

  • Turn your icosahedron and FINAL bibliography into your instructor.  The final bibliography must be word-processed with a double-space between each reference, and correct citation format must be used. Consult your assignment sheet for their final due date.

    

 

EVALUATION

Total Project = 170 points

Element Choice   5 pts -- 1 pt deduction if element chosen is NOT available
ROUGH Draft Bibliography 10 pts -- Sources correct, format correct
  7 pts -- Sources correct, format incorrect
  4 pts -- Incomplete sources, format correct
  2 pts -- Incomplete sources, format incorrect 
Note Cards 20 pts -- All required information complete
15 pts -- Missing one piece of required information
10 pts -- Missing two pieces of required information
  5 pts -- Missing three pieces of required information 
Concept Map 20 pts -- All note cards connected correctly
15 pts -- No more than 2 note cards not connected correctly
10 pts -- No more than 4 note cards not connected correctly
  5 pts -- More than 5  note cards not connected correctly
Icosahedron 100 points total

     Discovery Information -- 12 pts 
     Who, how, when, where -- 4 pts each 
                                          
     Physical Properties -- 20 pts
     At least 5 -- 4 pts each

     Chemical Properties -- 18 pts
     Electron configuration -- 2 pts
     At least 4 others -- 4 pts each

     Uses -- 20 pts
     At least 5 -- 4 pts each
     ** Some elements may not have this many

     Assembly -- 15 pts
     Properly assembled, no hanger -- 10 pts
     Not properly assembled -- 5 pts

     Design -- 15 pts
     Not appropriate to Element -- 5 pts  
          (i.e. - glitter on non-metallic element)
     Appropriate size triangles -- 5 pts
     Minimal design -- 5 pts
Final Bibliography 15 pts -- Sources correct, format correct
10 pts -- Sources correct, incorrect format
  5 pts -- Incomplete sources, format correct
  2 pts -- Incomplete sources, incorrect format

 

 WebQuest prepared by Laura E. Slocum.