HS

GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1
Module 5: Quarter 1 – Week 2
 Target

Atoms of an element have a fixed number of protons but can have a

different number of neutrons. Atoms with the same number of protons but with
different number of neutrons are called isotopes.

In your previous lesson, you have learned about atoms, molecules, and
ions. An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the properties of
the element. A molecule, on the other hand, is formed when two or more atoms
bond covalently. Finally, an ion is an atom or a bonded group of atoms that has a
positive or negative charge.

This module will provide you with information and activities that will help
you understand about isotopes.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

Recognize common isotopes and their uses (STEM_GC11AMIc-e-19).

Before going on, check how much you know about this
topic. Answer the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet
of paper.

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 Jumpstart

For you to understand the lesson well, do the following activities. Have fun
and good luck!

Are you ready? Let’s start!

Activity 1: “Think About Me!”

Direction: Read and analyze the given concepts about atoms.

John Dalton, known as the Father of Atomic Theory, proposed that all
matter was composed of atoms, indivisible and indestructible building blocks.
While all atoms of an element were identical, different elements had atoms of
differing size and mass.

An atom is composed of sub-atomic particles namely proton, electron, and

neutron. How do these sub-atomic particles differ from one another? Study the
given Table below:

Table 1: Sub-Atomic Particles

Proton Electron Neutron

Location inside nucleus outside nucleus inside nucleus
Charge (units) +1 -1 0
Charge (coulombs) +1.6 x 10-19 -1.6 x 10-19 0
Relative Mass 1 0. 0006 1
Mass (kilograms) 1.672 x 10-27 9.1 x 10-31 1.674 x 10-27
Discoverer Ernest Rutherford J. J. Thomson James Chadwick
Year of Discovery 1909 1897 1932
Sources: Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Chemistry 1.
http://padakshep.org/otp/subjects/chemistry/physical-chemistry/discovery-of-electrons-
protons-and-neutrons/.
https://www.vedantu.com/chemistry/discovery-of-proton-and-neutron.

Remember: “Equal number of protons and electrons make an atom electrically

neutral and stable.”
To determine the number of protons, electrons, or neutron, use
the following symbols and equations given below:

Mass number
A X Element Symbol
Z
Atomic number

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons in a

neutral atom
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutron

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 However, there are some elements whose atoms have different masses
due to varying numbers of neutrons. These are called as isotopes. Let’s consider
hydrogen as our example.

Table 2: Isotopes of Hydrogen

H-1 (Protium) H-2 (Deuterium) H-3 (Tritium)
A 1 2 3
Z 1 1 1
Number of p+ 1 1 1
Number of e- 1 1 1
Number of n0 0 1 2
Source: https://www.britannica.com/science/isotope

Now, you are ready for the challenge!

Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the correct answer on a separate

paper. (10 points)

1. What is called as the smallest particles of a substance that is capable

of independent existence?
A. atoms B. molecules C. electron D. proton
2. Which of the following sub-atomic particles is found outside the nucleus
of an atom?
A. electron B. neutron C. positron D. proton
3. Which of the following sub-atomic particles has a positive
charge?
A. electron B. neutron C. positron D. proton
4. Which of the following sub-atomic particles has no charge?
A. electron B. neutron C. positron D. proton
5. What element in the Periodic Table of Elements has an atomic number of
one?
A. beryllium B. helium C. hydrogen D. lithium
6. What is the atomic number of potassium, 39 K, as a neutral atom?
A. 19 B. 20 19 C. 39 D. 58
7. How many protons does potassium have?
A. 19 B. 20 C. 39 D. 58
8. How many neutrons does potassium
have?
A. 19 B. 20 C. 39 D. 58
9. What is the mass number of selenium, Se, as a neutral atom?
79
34
A. 34 B. 45 C. 79 D. 113
10. How many electrons does selenium have?
A. 34 B. 45 C. 79 D. 113

That’s indeed a good start! Congratulations!

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 Discover

Isotopes are atoms of the same element having different masses, due to
varying numbers of neutrons. Simply, isotopes are atoms of an element having
the same atomic number but different mass number.
Radioactive isotopes have a variety of applications. Generally, however,
they are useful because either we can detect their radioactivity or we can use
the energy they release.
Radioactive isotopes are effective tracers because their radioactivity is
easy to detect. A tracer is a substance that can be used to follow the pathway of
that substance through some structure. For instance, leaks in underground water
pipes can be discovered by running some tritium-containing water through the
pipes and then using a Geiger counter to locate any radioactive tritium
subsequently present in the ground around the pipes. (Recall that tritium is a
radioactive isotope of hydrogen.) Tritium is used to fuel nuclear fusion reactions.
When tritium is fused to deuterium, another isotope of hydrogen, massive
amounts of atomic energy are released.

Use of tritium to detect leaks in pipes

Medical Applications
Radioactive isotopes have various medical applications such as diagnosing
and treating illness and diseases.
One example of a diagnostic application is using radioactive iodine-131 to
test for thyroid activity. The thyroid gland in the neck is one of the few places in
the body with a significant concentration of iodine. When the thyroid gland in the
neck become enlarged, it is called as goiter. The thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-
shaped gland located in the neck, below the Adam's apple, produces the
hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). These
hormones play
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a role in certain bodily functions, including body temperature, mood and
excitability, pulse rate, digestion and others.
Technetium-99 can also be used to test thyroid function. Bones, the heart,
the brain, the liver, the lungs, and many other organs can be imaged in similar
ways by using the appropriate radioactive isotope. Radioactive strontium is used
to not only detect but also ease the pain of bone cancers.

Radioiodine Treatment Technetium-99m thyroid scan Strontium-89 Therapy

Some radioactive isotopes and their medical uses are shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Some Radioactive Isotopes with Medical Applications

Isotopes Uses
32P cancer detection and treatment, especially in eyes and skin
59Fe anemia diagnosis
60Co gamma ray irradiation of tumors
brain, thyroid, liver, bone marrow, lung, heart, and
99mTc*
intestinal scanning; blood volume determination
131I diagnosis and treatment of thyroid function
133Xe lung imaging
198Au liver disease diagnosis
*The “m” means that it is a metastable form of this isotope of technetium.
Source: https://opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/chapter/uses-of-radioactive-isotopes-2/

In addition to the direct application of radioactive isotopes to diseased

tissue, the gamma ray emissions of some isotopes can be directed toward the
tissue to be destroyed. Cobalt-60 is used for this procedure.

Other common isotopes and their uses can be gleaned in Table 4.

Table 4: Other Common Isotopes and Their Uses

Isotopes Uses
14C determines the age of once-living artifacts e.g. fossils
235U establishes the ages of various objects e.g. rocks
kill microorganisms on a variety of foodstuffs, extending the
60Co shelf life of these products e.g. tomatoes, mushrooms,
sprouts, and berries
238Pu compact sources of electrical power in spacecraft
Sources: https://opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/chapter/uses-of-radioactive-
isotopes- 2/ https://www.britannica.com/science/radioactive-isotope

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 Explore

To master these concepts, here are some

enrichment activities prepared for you! Keep going!

Enrichment Activity 1: “My Isotope Cartoon Story!”

Materials:
short bond paper or oslo art/drawing materials
paper
Periodic Table of
coloring materials Elements

Procedure:
1. Using your Periodic Table of Elements, choose your own isotope.
2. In a short bond paper or oslo paper, create a cartoon story of your
chosen isotope. For example: You may represent Tritium (H-3) as a
Grade 11- learner. This learner attended a birthday party in their
neighborhood during the Covid-19 pandemic without using a face
mask. After a day, the learner was releasing energy like coughing and
sneezing. Then, he got sick. Think how you will end your own cartoon
story.
3. Briefly explain your cartoon story in five to 10 statements.

Rubrics for Cartoon Story Making

Criteria Distinguished Proficient Apprentic Novice
e
4 3 2 1
All informatio is Storyline i evident An attempt at Storyline is not
n s
clear, appropriat in muc of the creating a storylin evident. Is
e h e
Story/Script and correct Stor product. nformation is evident Som confusing and has
. y . e
has a beginning, is clear, appropriate, information is no direction.
middle, and an end. and confusing.
correct.

Fully develope Th characters Characters are Lead characters are

d e
characters – correc aligned with the randomly placed not defined
t – .
siz for the storyline, matche not scaled to the Confusing.
e d
background, the scal of the siz of the Background did not
e e
intricate detailing background and are background fit into storyline and
.
and appropriat to detailed and did not meet the
Character e
the story. appropriate to the need of the
Development s
Characters are story. Background storyline.
modeled and convey details meet the
the story needs o the
well. f

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 storyline.

All features of the All feature of the Most of all feature Features of the
s s
cartoon character cartoon character of the cartoo cartoon character
n
are visible and easily are visible and easily character are visible are missing or
Cartoon Features identified with identified. and easily identified. difficult to identify.
extra
(Face and Body care in details. Som are missing
e
Parts) and difficult to
discriminate.

Criteria Distinguished Proficien Apprentice Novice

t
4 3 2 1
Background Personally create Background ha all Rudimentary Non-existent
d s
background that elements required to background that background or
contains all required make the scene includes some unrelated to the
,
aspects for the story most found on-line detail. animation.
to mak sense or made from stock
e .
Animated object photos.
s
interact with the
background (wal
k
on ground bounce
,
of walls, etc.)
Sketching Student shows Student shows Student shows little It is evident that
developme t over developmen over development over little care ha been
n t s
time, is abl to time, objects are time, Objects are taken in drawing the
e
accuratel conve fairly accurat in somewhat accurat examples, little
y y e e
object sizes in proportion and in proportion and change over time.
relation t other characters are characters are
o
objects and to drawn as the reasonably close
to
proportion their examples are. the
examples.
drawings correctly.
Character drawings
include som
e
personalization.
Sources: https://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?
code=CXWA626&sp=yes& Mrkramersd23.weebly.com

You are really doing great! That’s amazing!

Deepen

To fully understand isotopes, you need to do this activity.

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Activity 1: “Be My Interviewee!”

Materials:
pen paper cellphone (optional)

Procedure:
1. Interview a farmer, cancer survivor, person who had a surgical
operation in the removal of goiter, scientists (preferably geologist or
paleontologist), doctors, and the like who have knowledge and/or
experiences on the use of different isotopes.
2. You may call, text, give a guided questionnaire, or ask personally
your chosen interviewee.
3. Formulate three to five questions only. Relate them to the use of
isotopes. For example: How did you acquire cancer? What different
procedures did you have? Was there the use of cobalt, iron,
phosphorus, and the like?

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 What were the different things you observed before, during, and
after your chemotherapy/radiation therapy?
4. Write the questions and interviewee’s answers on a one whole
sheet of paper.
5. Follow the given format below:

Name: Score:
Grade & Strand: Date :

Name of Interviewee:
Position:
Office & Address:

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

1.

2.

3.

Rubrics for an Interview

Criteria Distinguished Proficient Apprentice Novice
4 3 2 1
Content Asked appropriate Gave appropriate Asked some Did not ask
question and questions for survey inappropriate appropriat
s e
answere all information but questions for questions for
d .
question with response were informatio or informatio No
s s n n
related information. limited in content. answered questions response to
Did not give any off- with very limited or questions.
topic information off-topic answers.
that did not fit the
situation.
Clarity Question and Questions and Questions and All questions and
s
answers were very answers were clear answers were answers wer
e
clear and and comprehensible. awkward and awkward and
comprehensible. incomprehensible to incomprehensible.
understand at
times.
Organization Information is Information are Order of information Information is
clearly presente clear. does not clearly unclear written
d and
and ordered in such show cohesiveness. in random order.
a way that it brings
a full picture of the
material.
Information are
clearly presente
d
and ordered.
Spelling and All spelling and There are one to two There are three to There are five or
Grammar grammar are correct spelling and four spelling and more spelling and
Source: https://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=CXWA626&sp=yes&

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