STRUCTURE OF ATOM

All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms.

An atom is the smallest particle of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction .

Atoms of most elements are very reactive and DO NOT exist in a free state(as single atoms) They exist in combination
with the atoms of same element or another element.

Atoms are very small in size. Size is indicated by radius called atomic radius.

Atomic radius is measured in nanometers( nm)

Hydrogen atom is the smallest atom of all.

John Dalton a British school teacher developed a theory in 1808 about structure of matter . His theory is called Dalton
atomic theory The main points of this theory are:

1. All matter is made up of very small particles called atoms which cannot be broken down further.
2. Atoms of a given element are identical in size, mass and chemical properties.
3. Atoms of different elements have different sizes, masses and chemical properties.
4. Atoms cannot be created, or destroyed by any chemical process.
5. Chemical combination between two or more elements takes place in simple numerical ratio.

Dalton’s concept of indivisibility was later on not accepted by scientists when electricity was discovered and by
experimental evidences it was found that atoms are made up of three fundamental particles electron(negatively
charged), proton( positively charged) and neutron(neutral).

STRCTURE OF ATOM;

An atom consists of two parts:

a. Nucleus
b. Extra nuclear region.
1. Nucleus: It is situated at the centre of atom.
 All protons (+ charged particles) and neutrons (neutral particles) are present in the nucleus .

Nucleus is thus positively charged.

Protons and neutrons are collectively called nucleons.

Entire mass of the atom is concentrated in the nucleus.

Extra nuclear region:Electrons are present which revolve around the nucleus with very high speed in circular
path called orbits.
Orbits have fixed energies and are also called energy levels or energy shells and are designated as K, L, M, N
etc .
Maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell is given by the formula 2n 2.where n= shell
number.
Therefore :
First shell (K shell) n=1 has 2 X 12 = 2 electrons
Second shell ( L shell) n=2 has 2 X 22 =8 electrons
Each energy shell have smaller shells within it called subshells. Electrons of the atom are present in these
subshells . These subshells are called s,p,d and f.

The number of protons in an atom is equal to the number of electrons therefore atom is electrically neutral .
Electrons(- charged ) and nucleus(+ charged) are held together by electrostatic force of attraction which is
balanced by the centrifugal force.
VALENCY: The combining capacity of an element is called its valency.
VALENCE SHELLS AND VALENCE ELECTRONS:
1. The outer most shell of an atom is called the valence shell.
2. The electrons present in valence shell are called valence electrons.
3. The valence electrons determine the combining capacity of atom and these are the electrons which take
part in chemical reactions.
4. The number of electrons actually taking part in bond formation between atoms is known as the valency of
the element.For ex carbon has four electrons in its valence shell ,so its valency is 4 .
5. Elements with 1,2or 3 electrons in their outermost shell are metals and their
Valency = number of valence electrons.
6. Elements having 4,5,6 ,7or 8 electrons are non metals .their
Valency = 8 - number of valence electrons.
( Hydrogen and Helium are exceptions.)

ATOMIC NUMBER: The number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom is called its atomic number. It is
denoted by Z.

In a neutral atom :
ATOMIC NUMBER( Z) = NUMBER OF PROTONS = NUMBER OF ELECTRONS

Note: In an ion the number of protons and electrons is not same.

ATOMIC MASS OR MASS NUMBER (A): Atomic mass is the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons
in the nucleus of an atom of an element.
 MASS NUMBER(A) = Number of protons + number of neutrons.

Number of neutrons = Mass number – number of protons ( atomic number).

No. of neutrons = A - Z

Q.1 The atomic number of an element is 12. How many electrons and protons does it have?

Q.2 The atomic number and mass number of an element is 12 and 24 respectively .Calculate the number of neutrons
and electrons in an atom of the element. Draw the structure of its atom and ion.

Q.3 The nucleus of an atom contains 17 protons and 18 neutrons . Determine its atomic number and atomic mass.

ISOTOPES: Atoms of the same element having same atomic number but different mass number are called isotopes.

( These atoms differ in their number of neutrons).

1
For example (Protium) 1 H, (Deuterium) 21 H, (Tritium) 13 H.
12 14
C, C

Properties of isotopes:

1.Chemical properties of isotopes is same.

2.The electronic configuration of all the isotopes is the same.

3. Physical properties like mass, boiling point of isotopes of the same element are different.

ION: An ion is a + vely or – vely charged atom or group of atoms.

Every atom has equal number of positive charges ( protons) and negative charges( electrons) .Both charges balance
each other so atom is electrically neutral.

Cation : If an atom looses an electron during a chemical reaction the no. of protons become more than no. of electrons
so the atom gets a net + charge. It forms a + ion or CATION.

Anion: If an atom gains an electron while reacting with another atom then no. of electrons becomes more than no. of
protons so it gets net – charge . It forms a – ion or ANION.

A cation is smaller than its corresponding neutral atom.

An anion is larger than its corresponding neutral atom.

PROPERTY ELECTRON PROTON NEUTRON

SYMBOL e p n
NATURE - Charged + charged Neutral
RELATIVE CHARGE - 1 +1 0`
RELATIVE MASS 1/1837 1 1
DISCOVERER JJ.THOMSON GOLDSTIEN CHADWICK
The arrangement of electrons in different shells is known as electronic configuration.

ACCORDING TO OCTET RULE:

If an atom has 8 electrons in its outermost shell ,then the element is unreactive.such elements combine with each other
or with other atoms to get stable electronic configuration of noble gases. The tendency to et 8 electrons in their valence
shell is the cause of chemical bonds.

FORMATION OF IONS:

The diagram above shows the formation of sodium ion and chlorine ion from sodium atom and chlorine atom
respectively . It also shows how the sodium atom looses its outermost electron to form sodium ion and
becomes stable as it has 8 electrons in its outermost shell.
The electron lost by sodium atom is taken by chlorine atom to gain stability as it completes it octet ( 8 electrons
in outermost shell.) and forms the chlorine ion.