Cora wants to draw a model of an atom for her project for the science fair. She wants to draw an atom that has two protons, four neutrons, and two electrons. Which model is like Cora’s?

Question

At the center, 2 unmarked red balls are interspersed with 4 blue balls marked with plus signs. A green cloud with 1 concentric white line surrounds the center, with 2 small green balls marked with minus signs on the white line.

At the center, 4 unmarked red balls are interspersed with 2 blue balls marked with plus signs. A green cloud with 1 white line surrounds the center, with 2 small green balls marked with minus signs on the white line.

At the center, 2 unmarked red balls are interspersed with 2 blue balls marked with plus signs. A green cloud with 1 white line surrounds the center, with 4 small green balls marked with minus signs on the white line.

At the center, 4 unmarked red balls are interspersed with 2 blue balls marked with plus signs. A green cloud with 1 white line surrounds the center, with 4 small green balls marked with minus signs on the white line.

Answer 1

To accurately represent the atom Cora wants to draw, let's analyze the components based on her description of having two protons, four neutrons, and two electrons.

1. Protons: These are positively charged particles, often symbolized with blue balls marked with plus signs. Cora has 2 protons.
2. Neutrons: These are neutral particles, often symbolized with unmarked red balls. Cora has 4 neutrons.
3. Electrons: These are negatively charged particles, often symbolized with balls marked with minus signs. Cora has 2 electrons.

Now, let's look at each of the provided options:

1. Option 1:

   • Center: 2 red (unmarked, neutrons) and 4 blue (marked with plus signs, protons) - this does not match as there are more protons than stated.
   • Surrounding: 2 green (marked with minus signs, electrons) - this part is correct.

2. Option 2:

   • Center: 4 red (unmarked, neutrons) and 2 blue (marked with plus signs, protons) - this does not match as there are more neutrons than stated.
   • Surrounding: 2 green (marked with minus signs, electrons) - this part is correct.

3. Option 3:

   • Center: 2 red (unmarked, neutrons) and 2 blue (marked with plus signs, protons) - this does not match since the number of protons is less than stated.
   • Surrounding: 4 small green (marked with minus signs, electrons) - this does not match as there are too many electrons.

4. Option 4:

   • Center: 4 red (unmarked, neutrons) and 2 blue (marked with plus signs, protons) - this does not match as there are more neutrons than stated.
   • Surrounding: 4 small green (marked with minus signs, electrons) - this does not match as there are too many electrons.

After analyzing all options, none of the provided options accurately depict Cora's atom with 2 protons, 4 neutrons, and 2 electrons. Each option contains discrepancies in the number of protons, neutrons, or electrons compared to what Cora wants to model.