3-dimensional atomic structure model with magnetically attached sub-atomic particle models
View Patent ↗The invention comprises an atomic structure kit for enabling students to understand how atoms are made of smaller sub-atomic particles, the architecture of these particles in relation to each other, and the forces acting upon the sub-atomic particles that hold an atom together. The kit comprises a central body representing an atomic nucleus attached to a shaft about which concentric circular or elliptical rings are rotatably attached. A plurality of bodies representing protons and neutrons is magnetically attachable to the atomic nucleus, and a plurality of bodies representing electrons is magnetically attachable to the rotatable rings. The properties and geometry of the magnetic materials mimic the strong localised force relationships between sub-atomic particles, specifically the electron-electron, proton-proton repulsion, the electron-nucleus attraction and the very strong attraction between the nucleons that bind the nucleus.
1 . A 3-dimensional model for representing a structure of an atom, the model comprising;
a shaft or filament;
a central magnetic body connected to the shaft or filament;
a first plurality of bodies magnetically attachable to the central magnetic body to represent an atomic nucleus, each of the first plurality of bodies representing a proton and/or neutron;
wherein the central magnetic body is a magnetically active body that is structurally distinct from the first plurality of bodies representing the proton and/or the neutron, and to which the first plurality of bodies representing the proton and/or the neutron are magnetically attachable;
a plurality of concentric rings centres of which coincide with a location of the central magnetic body, the rings connected to the shaft or filament such that the rings can freely rotate around an axis of the shaft or filament; and
a second plurality of bodies representing electrons magnetically attachable to the rings.
2 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the shaft or filament is a shaft.
3 . The model claim 2 , wherein the central body is centrally attached to the shaft.
4 . The model of claim 2 , wherein movable mounting of the shaft allows for rotation of the rings about two perpendicular axes.
5 . The model of claim 4 , wherein the shaft is movably mounted to a circular rail at mounting positions at or towards first and second ends of the shaft.
6 . The model of claim 5 , wherein the circular rail is in a horizontal plane.
7 . The model of claim 5 , wherein the circular rail is in a vertical plane.
8 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the shaft or filament is a filament.
9 . The model of claim 8 , wherein the central body is attached at or towards an end of the filament.
10 . The model of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of bodies representing the proton and/or neutron that are attached to the central body are spherical bodies.
11 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of bodies representing electrons make polar repulsions against each other.
12 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bodies representing protons make polar repulsions against each other.
13 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bodies representing protons make polar attractions to the second plurality of bodies representing electrons.
14 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bodies representing protons make polar attractions to the central body.
15 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of bodies representing the protons and/or the neutrons are spheroid bodies, and wherein the second plurality of bodies representing the electrons are spheroid bodies.
16 . The model of claim 1 , wherein the 3 -dimensional model is used for teaching atomic structure.
17 . A kit for a 3-dimensional model for representing a structure of an atom, the kit comprising:
a shaft or filament;
a body comprising a central magnetic body connected to the shaft or filament; and
a plurality of concentric rings centres of which coincide with a location of the central magnetic body, the rings connected to the shaft or filament such that the rings can freely rotate around an axis of the shaft or filament;
a first plurality of bodies magnetically attachable to the central magnetic body to represent an atomic nucleus, each spherical body representing a proton and/or a neutron;
wherein the central magnetic body is a magnetically active body that is structurally distinct from the first plurality of bodies representing the proton and/or the neutron, and to which the first plurality of bodies representing the proton and/or the neutron are magnetically attachable;
a second plurality of bodies representing electrons magnetically attachable to the rings.
18 . A method of assembling a model for representing a structure of an atom, including steps of:
a) connecting a central magnetic body to a shaft or filament;
b) connecting a plurality of concentric rings with the shaft or filament such that centres of the rings coincide with a location of the central body, and the rings can freely rotate around an axis of the shaft or filament;
c) magnetically attaching a first plurality of bodies to the central body wherein the central body is a magnetically active body that is structurally distinct from the first plurality of bodies wherein each of the first plurality of bodies represent a proton and/or a neutron,
d) magnetically attaching a second plurality of bodies representing electrons to the plurality of concentric rings.