Atomic Model Discussion Prompts and Pause Points
Before the Movie
What have you seen or read about the atomic model?
During the Movie (Pause Points)
Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:
Timecode 1:03: What does the word “model” mean to a scientist, as illustrated by the title of Dalton’s work?
Timecode 2:15: Why did Thomson believe that negatively charged electrons were stuck onto–rather than blended in with–a positively charged area?
Timecode 3:00: Why did Rutherford conclude that atoms must have some positively charged mass?
After the Movie
What does the evolution of the atomic model tell us about science? What does it say about scientists?
BrainPOP recommends reading the movie description that appears on the Atomic Model Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing. Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.
*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.