This document provides directions for building different atoms and isotopes using marshmallows, toothpicks, and spice drops to represent subatomic particles. It includes a chart to fill out with the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons as well as atomic mass for various atoms and isotopes including hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, and boron. It also asks questions about isotopes, what the number after an element represents, how to determine neutrons in an isotope, and whether changing protons changes the element.

1. Name: __________________________
Building an Atom!!!
Directions: Build the following atoms listed below. Fill in the chart for each atom. You
may need to use Chapter 18 if you don’t remember what atomic number, atomic mass, or
an isotope is. Have fun!
White marshmallows- Neutrons
Marshmallows with color- Protons
Spiced drops- Electrons
The curved paper clip is the nucleus. Use that to hold the protons and neutrons. Attach
the electrons using toothpicks. Reuse the marshmallows, toothpicks, and spiced drops for
each atom or isotope.
Metal,
Nonmetal,
Atom
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Atomic Mass Semimetal?
Hydrogen (H)
Hydrogen-3
Helium (He)
Helium-5
Lithium (L)
Lithium-7
Beryllium
(Be)
Beryllium-9
Boron (B)
Boron- 11
1) What is an isotope? _____________________________________________________
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2) When an element is written with a number after it, what does that number represent?
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3) How do you figure out how many neutrons are in a certain isotope? _______________
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2. 4) If you change the number of protons, does the element stay the same? _____________
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