Links for Chapter 2: Atomic Structure
Video clips and animations
- Simple model of an atom
A simple view of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms. You may wonder why the electrons shown end up as a fuzzy cloud. This represents a half-way stage to a more sophisticated view of electrons. YouTube - Isotopes of hydrogen
A very short explanation of how the three isotopes of hydrogen arise. YouTube
Other interesting sites
- How carbon dating works
Carbon dating is mentioned in the chapter in the context of isotopes. If you want to know how it works, this link will tell you in a straightforward and understandable way. Not on the syllabus, but interesting. - The Geiger-Marsden experiment
This has a very nice animation of the Geiger-Marsden experiment from which Rutherford came up with the view of the atom as having a tiny nucleus surrounded by lots of empty space. Not on the syllabus, but interesting. - Can you see atoms?
This page looks at how a scanning tunnelling microscope enables you to look at what happens on the surfaces of solids, showing the arrangement of the atoms. Don't forget to look at the animation link on the page. Not on the syllabus, but interesting. - Turning atoms into art
Brilliant sequence of pages from IBM showing how output from a scanning tunnelling microscope can be turned into amazing images. Obviously not on the syllabus!
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© Jim Clark 2009
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