Assignment - Infographics - 157

A Note on What Makes This an Infographic

Drawing two circles - one labeled “nucleus” and one labeled “electron shell” - with dots placed inside is a diagram. An infographic about the atom explains what those particles are, why they sit where they sit, what charge they carry, and what the numbers (atomic number, mass number) actually mean. The goal is to give a reader who has never studied chemistry a clear mental model of what an atom is made of.

Objective

Create a labeled diagram infographic in Canva showing the structure of a helium atom, explaining each subatomic particle, its charge and location, and what atomic number and mass number tell us.

Content to Cover

The Helium Atom

Helium (He) is an ideal atom to illustrate because it is small and simple: it has 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 2 electrons. This makes the diagram clear without being overcrowded.

The Nucleus

The nucleus is the dense center of the atom. It contains two types of particles:

• Proton: A positively charged particle. Helium has 2 protons. The number of protons defines what element the atom is - every helium atom has exactly 2 protons.
• Neutron: A particle with no charge (neutral). Helium has 2 neutrons. Neutrons add mass to the nucleus but do not change the element’s identity.

Protons and neutrons are held together in the nucleus by the strong nuclear force.

The Electron Shell

Electrons orbit the nucleus in regions called shells (also called energy levels). Electrons are negatively charged. Because a helium atom has 2 protons (positive) and 2 electrons (negative), the charges balance - the atom is electrically neutral.

Electrons have very little mass compared to protons and neutrons.

Atomic Number and Mass Number

Add a panel explaining the two key numbers:

• Atomic number: The number of protons in the nucleus. For helium, atomic number = 2. This number identifies the element.
• Mass number: The total number of protons + neutrons. For helium, mass number = 4 (2 protons + 2 neutrons).

These two numbers appear on every periodic table entry. Show where they sit on a helium periodic table tile.

Size and Scale

Add a note on scale: the nucleus is tiny compared to the whole atom. If the atom were the size of a football stadium, the nucleus would be about the size of a marble. Most of an atom is empty space.

Design in Canva

• A large central illustration of the helium atom: nucleus in the middle with protons and neutrons labeled, two electrons on the outer shell.
• Color-code the three particles: one color for protons, one for neutrons, one for electrons.
• Callout labels for each particle: name, charge, and location.
• A separate panel for atomic number and mass number, showing where these appear on the periodic table tile for helium.
• A scale note panel showing how small the nucleus is relative to the atom.

Required Elements

• The nucleus with protons and neutrons labeled by name and charge.
• The electron shell with electrons labeled by name and charge.
• Atomic number and mass number explained with the helium example.
• The periodic table tile for helium showing where these numbers appear.
• A note on the scale of the nucleus vs. the atom.
• Title: “Structure of a Helium Atom.”