Context

When we observe the world around us, we come across a great diversity of materials, but have you ever stopped to wonder what these materials are made of? Chemistry is the area of science responsible for studying matter and its transformations, and one of the paths to this understanding is the analysis of atoms. Within the study of atoms, we find three fundamental concepts: Isotopes, Isotones, and Isobars.

Isotopes are atoms of the same chemical element that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. Isotones, on the other hand, are atoms of different chemical elements, but with the same number of neutrons. Isobars, on the other hand, are atoms of different chemical elements that have the same mass number. Understanding these concepts is the first step to understanding how nature organizes itself in its microscopic essence.

The reason why these concepts are so fundamental and relevant is that they explain many important phenomena in chemistry. For example, isotopes have a wide range of applications, from dating archaeological artifacts (such as Carbon-14) to uses in medicine, such as cancer treatment using the isotope Iodine-131. Isotones and Isobars also have important applications, being widely used in studies on atomic structure and in the nuclear industry.

For a deeper understanding of the concepts and examples presented, we recommend the following resources:

1. Brazil School Portal: Isotopes, isobars, and isotones
2. Khan Academy (In Portuguese): Isotopes and atomic mass

Now that you are contextualized about the topic and its importance, let's start our project!

Practical Activity: Understanding Isotopes, Isotones, and Isobars Through Atomic Models Drawing

Project Objective

Students must build a visual presentation to explain the concepts of isotopes, isotones, and isobars. In this way, students will explore the theory in depth and demonstrate skills such as teamwork, communication, and creative thinking.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will be responsible for researching, understanding, and presenting their findings on isotopes, isotones, and isobars visually. In addition, students must include real examples and applications of these concepts in the real world.

Required Materials

• Books and/or internet access for research
• Colored paper, markers, and any additional materials to create diagrams
• Presentation software, such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi

Detailed Activity Steps

1. Divide students into groups of 3 to 5 people.
2. Provide each group with the necessary materials and explain the project's objective.
3. Each group should start by researching the concepts of isotopes, isotones, and isobars, based on reliable sources.
4. After understanding the concepts, students should look for real examples and applications of these concepts in the real world.
5. Each group should create visual models that represent these concepts, as well as diagrams that explain their applications.
6. After the research and creation of visual materials, groups should organize their findings into an ordered and coherent presentation.
7. Finally, each group will present their work to the class, explaining the concepts and their applications.

Project Deliverables

Each group must deliver the created visual presentation, along with a written report containing:

1. Introduction: Contextualization of the theme, explaining its relevance and application in the real world, in addition to the project's objective.
2. Development: Explanation of the theory behind isotopes, isotones, and isobars, the activity carried out in detail, the methodology used, and the results obtained.
3. Conclusions: Recap of the main points, with the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about the project.
4. Bibliography: Should contain the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The written report should complement the visual presentation, providing a detailed description of each element presented and explaining the theory behind the concepts presented. In this way, students will demonstrate their ability to synthesize information in a way that is understandable to others, while deepening their knowledge of isotopes, isotones, and isobars.