Structure of an atom

An atom is the smallest uncharged particle that can take part in a

chemical change.

om
• An atom contains a centrally
located nucleus.

.c
• The nucleus contains positively

es
charged protons and neutral
neutrons.[Protons + neutrons=

rc
nucleon number or mass number]

u
• The electrons revolve around the

shells or energy levels. so

nucleus in fixed orbits called electron
re
• An atom is electrically neutral as the number of protons
m

(+vely charged) are equal to the number of electrons (-vely

charged).
xa

• Position of elements in the periodic table is based on their

te

atomic number.
ar

------------------------------------------------------
m

Subatomic Symbol Relative mass Relative charge

particles
.s

PROTON p 1 +1
w

NEUTRON n 1 No charge
ELECTRON e 0.00054 -1
w

-----------------------------------------------------
w

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 1

Define:

• Proton number ( Atomic number): It is the number of protons

in the nucleus of an atom.
• Nucleon number ( Mass number): It is the total number of

om
protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

.c
es
u rc
so
re
m
xa
te
ar
m
.s
w
w
w

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 2

 Electronic configuration for the atoms and ions of first 10
elements

om
Atom E.C. Type of ions Reason for no ion
formed formation

.c
Hydrogen 1 H+ , H-

es
Helium- 2 Ni ion It has a completely

rc
Group-8 formation filled outer shell

u
Lithium 2,1 Li+
Group-1

Beryllium 2,2 Be2+ so

re
Group-2
m

Boron 2,3 B3+

Group-3
xa

Carbon 2,4 No ion It has a tendency

te

Group-4 formation to share electrons

ar

Nitrogen 2,5 N3-

Group-5
m

Oxygen 2,6 O2-

.s

Group-6
w

Fluorine 2,7 F-
Group-7
w

Neon 2,8 No ion It has a completely

w

Group-8 formation filled outer shell

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 3

 Electronic configuration for the atoms and ions of from atomic
number 11-20 of the periodic table:

om
Atom E.C. Type of ions Reason for no ion
formed formation

.c
Sodium 1,8,1 Na+
Group-1

es
Magnesium 2,8,2 Mg2+

rc
Group-2
Aluminium 2,8,3 Al3+

u
Group-3
Silicon 2,8,4 No ionso It has a tendency
re
Group-4 formation to share electrons
m

Phosphorous 2,8,5 P3-

Group-5
xa

Sulfur 2,8,6 S2-

te

Group-6
Chlorine 2,8,7 Cl-
ar

Group-7
m

Argon 2,8,8 No ion It has a completely

.s

Group-8 formation filled outer shell

w

Potassium 2,8,8,1 K+
Group-1
w

Calcium 2,8,8,2 Ca2+

w

Group-2

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 4

 Note:
• Group 8 noble gases have a fuller outer shell
Example:

om
Atom E.C. Type of ions Reason for no ion
formed formation

Helium- 2 Ni ion It has a completely

.c
Group-8 formation filled outer shell

es
Neon 2,8 No ion It has a completely
Group-8 formation filled outer shell

rc
Argon 28,8 No ion It has a completely

u
Group-8 formation filled outer shell

so
re
m
xa
te
ar
m
.s
w
w
w

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 5

 • The number of outer shell electrons is equal to the group
number in groups 1 to VII
Example:

om
Atom E.C. Type of ions Reason for no ion
formed formation

.c
Sodium 2,8,1 Na+
Group-1

es
Magnesium 2,8,2 Mg2+

rc
Group-2
Aluminium 2,8,3 Al3+

u
Group-3
Silicon 2,8,4 No ionso It has a tendency
re
Group-4 formation to share electrons
m

Phosphorous 2,8,5 P3-

Group-5
xa

Sulfur 2,8,6 S2-

te

Group-6
Chlorine 2,8,7 Cl-
ar

Group-7
m
.s
w
w
w

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 6

 • The number of occupied electron shells is equal to the
period number:
Example:

om
Element Period Number of occupied electron shells
Lithium 2 2

.c
es
rc
Beryllium 2 2

u
so
re
m

Boron 2 2
xa
te
ar
m
.s
w
w
w

Copyright-Smart Exam Resources 7