Web-Based High School Chemistry Simulations

Standard 8:1—Knows the structure of an atom (e.g., negative electrons occupy most of the space in the atom; neutrons and positive protons make up the nucleus of the atom; protons and neutrons are almost two thousand times heavier than an electron; the electric force between the nucleus and electrons holds the atom together).

Associated with NSES: Structure and Properties of Matter, p. 178

Standard 8:2—Understands how elements are arranged in the periodic table, and how this arrangement shows repeating patterns among elements with similar properties (e.g., numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons; relationship between atomic number and atomic mass).

Associated with NSES: Structure and Properties of Matter, p. 178

Standard 8:3—Knows how the electron configuration of atoms governs the chemical properties of an element as atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing the outermost electrons.

Associated with NSES: Structure and Properties of Matter, p. 178

Standard 8:4—Knows that atoms may be bonded together into molecules or crystalline solids, and compounds are formed from chemical bonds between two or more different kinds of atoms.

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:5—Knows that the physical properties of a compound are determined by its molecular structure (e.g., constituent atoms, distances and angles between them) and the interactions among these molecules.

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:7—Knows that most elements have two or more isotopes (i.e., atoms that differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus). Although the number of neutrons has little effect on how the atom interacts with other atoms, it does affect the mass and stability of the nucleus.

Associated with NSES: Structure of Atoms, p. 178

Standard 8:8—Knows how radioactive isotopes can be used to estimate the age of materials that contain them, because radioactive isotopes undergo spontaneous nuclear reactions and emit particles and/or wave-like radiation; the decay of any one nucleus cannot be predicted, but a large group of identical nuclei decay at a predictable rate, which can be used to estimate the material’s age.

Associated with NSES: Structure of Atoms, p. 178

Standard 8:10—Understands that chemical reactions either release or consume energy (i.e., some changes of atomic or molecular configuration require an input of energy; others release energy).

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:11—Knows that chemical reactions can take place at vastly different rates (e.g., from the few femtoseconds required for an atom to move a fraction of a chemical-bond distance to geologic time scales of billions of years) and reaction rates depend on a variety of factors that influence the frequency of collision of reactant molecules (e.g., shape and surface area of the reacting species, temperature, pressure, the presence or absence of a catalyst).

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:12—Knows that chemical reactions can be accelerated by catalysts (e.g., metallic surfaces, enzymes).

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:14—Knows the variety of structures that may be formed from the bonding of carbon atoms (e.g., synthetic polymers, oils, the large molecules essential to life) and their roles in various chemical reactions, including those required for life processes.

Associated with NSES: Structure and Properties of Matter, p. 179

Standard 8:15—Knows that many important reactions involve the transfer of either electrons (oxidation/reduction reactions) or hydrogen ions (acid/base reactions) between reacting ions, molecules, or atoms.

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179

Standard 8:16—Understands radical reactions and their role in natural and human processes (e.g., ozone and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, burning and processing of fossil fuel, formation of polymers, explosions).

Associated with NSES: Chemical Reactions, p. 179