Help learners understand and compare the Bohr and electron cloud models

By Fraser Scott2024-09-12T05:34:00

A diagram showing the difference between electron shells and electron clouds

Source: © Shutterstock

Make the abstract nature of atomic theory more concrete with these evidence-informed teaching tips

Throughout scientific discovery, chemists and physicists have proposed many different models for the structure of the atom. Teachers use several models, such as the Bohr model and electron clouds, at different levels of chemistry education. But, students find some of the models challenging. A recent study investigated the mental models that post-16 school students hold of the electron cloud. The results showed that students have problems in fully understanding the current scientifically accepted model of atomic theory. Read this article for teaching tips to overcome these challenges.

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