Atoms and molecule

INTRODUCTION:
Q1
Who was the first Indian philosopher who put forward the concept of
parmanu (atom)?
Ans
Maharishi Kanad
Q2
What does the word atom in Latin mean?
Ans indivisible
Q3
What was the postulate given by the Indian philosopher Maharishi Kanad?
What name he gave to the smallest particle?
Ans He postulated that if we go on dividing matter, we shall get smaller and
smaller particles and a limit will come when we will come across smallest
particles and beyond this further division will not be possible. He named the
smallest particle PARMANU.

LAWS OF CHEMICAL COMBINATION

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Q7
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Q8
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good.
Q9
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Q10
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Define laws of chemical combination

Whenever reactants react together to form the products or the elements
combine together to form a compound, they do so according to certain laws
.These laws are called laws of chemical combination
What are the two laws of chemical combination?
The two laws of chemical combination are as follows:
Laws of conservation of mass
Law of constant proportions.
Who put forward the law of conservation of mass?
Antoine Lavoisier in 1774.
Define the law of conservation of mass.
the law of conservation of mass is defined as Mass can neither be created
nor be destroyed in a chemical reaction.
10 g silver nitrate solution is added to 10 g of sodium chloride solution? What
change in mass do you want expect after the reaction and why?
No change in mass will take place because law of conservation of mass holds

Who put forward the law of constant proportions?

J.L. Proust in 1799.
Define the law of constant proportions.
The law of constant proportions is defined as A pure compound always
contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by mass
Q11 What are the postulate of Daltons atomic theory?
Ans The main postulates of the theory may be stated as follows:
Matter consists of very small particles which are indivisible.
Atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
Atoms of one element are all identical: they have the same mass and the
same properties.
Atoms of different elements have different masses and different properties.
When elements combine to form compounds, the atoms of these elements
unite in simple whole number ratios to form compound atoms.
Q12
Define the law of conservation of mass. How does Daltons atomic theory
explain the truth of
the law?
Ans the law of conservation of mass is defined as Mass can neither be created
nor be destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Explanation: Since atoms can neither be created nor be destroyed, the
number and the types of atoms taking part in the reaction will necessarily be
the same as the number and types of atoms in the products. So, the total
mass of the products is equal to the total mass of reactants.
Ph.Gokul Sharma
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc,(Physics), B.ed
Coordinator & Examiner for HSLC Exam (Bosem)

Atoms and molecule

Q13

Define the law of constant proportions. How does Daltons atomic theory
explain the truth of the law?
Ans The law of constant proportions is defined as A pure compound always
contains the same elements combined in the same proportions by mass
Explanation: Daltons postulate states that atoms of the same elements are
identical in mass and properties whereas atoms of different elements are
different in mass and properties .And the different elements combine to form
compound atoms in fixed number of ratios. Since the number of atoms, the
kinds of atoms and the mass of the atoms of each elements compound is
fixed, therefore, a compound will always have the same elements combined
together in the same proportion by mass.
Q14 which postulate of Daltons atomic theory is the result of law of conservation
of mass?
Ans Dalton postulated that; atoms are indestructible; atoms can neither be
created nor destroyed in
a chemical reaction. This postulate is the result of
law of conservation of mass.
Q15
Which postulate of Daltons atomic theory can explain the Law of definite
proportion?
Ans. Dalton said that atoms of different elements combine with each other in
simple, whole
Number ratio and the relative number and kinds of atoms are fixed in a given
compound. This postulate of Daltons atomic theory can explain the law of
definite proportion.
MOLECULES
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Q18
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Q18
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Define Atom. How does atom exist?

an atom is defined as the smallest particle of an element which can take part
in a chemical change.
The atoms of most of the elements are not able to exist freely. They
exist in the combined state with other atoms of the same element or with
atoms of the other elements called molecules. The may also exist in the
aqueous solution as ions.
Define molecule.
A molecule is defined as the smallest particle of an element or compound
that is capable of an independent existence and show s all the properties of
that substance.
Example: H2, O3, P4
What is the difference between an atom and a molecule?
Atom is the smallest particle of an element that may or may not be capable of
free existence whereas molecule is the smallest particle of an element or a
compound which is capable of free existence.
What are the types of molecules?
The types of molecules are:
Molecules of elements
Molecules of compounds.

MOLECULES OF AN ELEMENT
Q19
Ans

What do you mean by Molecules of an element?

Molecule of an element means one, two or more atoms of the same element
existing as one species in the Free State.
Example: H2, O3, P4

Ph.Gokul Sharma
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc,(Physics), B.ed
Coordinator & Examiner for HSLC Exam (Bosem)

Atoms and molecule

Q20
Ans

What is meant by atomicity? Give example.

The number of atoms constituting a molecule is known as atomicity.
Example: H2, O2, Cl2
Q21 What is meant by diatomic molecule? Give example
Ans A molecule of oxygen consisting of two atoms of oxygen is known as a
diatomic molecule.
Example: H2, O2, Cl2 etc.
Q22 What are monoatomic molecules?
Ans Molecules of elements such as helium, neon, argon etc. consist of only one
atom of that element. These molecules are called monoatomic molecules.
Q23 Mention the name of a triatomic molecule.
Ans Ozone (O3)
Q24 Mention the name of a tetra-atomic molecule.
Ans Phosphorus (P4)
Q25 Give the name of three metals consisting of a molecule.
Ans
Iron ,Copper and Silver.
MOLECULES OF A COMPOUND
Q26 What do you mean by Molecule of a compound?
Ans Molecule of a compound means two or more atoms of different elements
combined together in a definite proportion by mass to form a species that can
exist freely.
Example:H2O, NaCl, NH3
HOW BIG ARE THE ATOMS AND MOLECULES
Q27
What is the diameter of an object which can be detected by an ordinary
microscope?
Ans
10-3 mm (0.001mm).
Q28 What is the diameter of an object which can be detected by an electron
microscope?
Ans 10-5mm (0.00001mm).
Q29 What is the approximate size of a molecule.
Ans

The approximate size of a molecule is

2 106 mm

(0.000002 mm).

Q30
Ans

Why is it not possible to see an atom with naked eyes?

An atom is extremely small particles whose radius is of the order of 10 -9m.This
size is so small that our eyes are not able to see it.
ATOMIC RADIUS
Q31
What is atomic radius? How is it measured?
Ans Atomic radius is the size of an atom which is indicated by its radius.
Atomic radius is measured in nanometers (nm)

1 nm=
Q32
Ans
Q33
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1
9
metre=10 m
9
10

What is the atomic radius of Hydrogen?

Atomic radius of hydrogen is 0.037 nm.
what is the atomic radius of gold?
The atomic radius of gold is 0.144 nm

ATOMIC MASS
Q34 Define Atomic Mass Unit.
Ans Atomic mass unit has been defined as the mass of the carbon -12 atom.

Ph.Gokul Sharma
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc,(Physics), B.ed
Coordinator & Examiner for HSLC Exam (Bosem)

Atoms and molecule

Thus, 1 u =
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Q38
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1
12

the mass of a carbon -12 atom

Define Atomic mass.

Atomic mass is defined as the average relative mass of an atom of an element
as compared to the mass of an atom of carbon taken as 12.
What is mass spectrometer.
Mass spectrometer is the instrument to obtain the relative mass of atoms
from masses of element.
How can we obtain the relative mass of atoms from masses of element?
The relative mass of atoms from the masses of element taking a chemical
reaction or by an instrument called the mass spectrometer.
What do you understand by 1 amu or 1 u?
1 amu or 1 u stands for 1/12th of the mass of an atom of carbon-12 isotope.

GRAM ATOMIC MASS

Q39 Define Gram atomic mass.
Ans The atomic mass of an element expressed in grams is called the gram atomic
mass of the element.
HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS (HOTS)
Q41 According to Daltons atomic theory, atoms combine is a simple whole number
ratio to form compounds. Give one example where this postulate falls.
Ans In sugar molecule, C12H22O11, C, H and O are present in the ration 12:22:11
which is integral but not simple.
Q42
State the Law of conservation of Mass .Give one activity to verify the law.
Ans To illustrate the law of conservation of mass.
Prepare 5% aqueous solutions of barium chloride and sodium sulphate in
separate test tubes.
Take a small amount of sodium sulphate solution in a conical flask and some
solution of barium chloride in an ignition tube (a small tube made of glass).
Hang the ignition tube in the flask carefully; see that the solutions do not
get mixed. Put a cork on the flask.
Weigh the flask with its content carefully.
Now, tilt the flask so that the solutions mix with each other.
Weigh again.
As soon as the two solutions mix, a chemical reaction takes place to form
new products.
We put a cork on the mouth of the flask to avoid any exchange of matter
between the flask and its surroundings.
It is observed that the mass of the flask and its contents remain the same
even after the chemical reaction has taken place.
Conclusion
The mass of the contents in the flask remains same even after the chemical
reaction has taken place.
The above activity shows that the mass of a substance remains conserved.
Q43 In what unit the radius of an atom is usually expressed?
Ans The radius of an atom is expressed nanometres (nm).
Q44 what is the difference between the molecule of an element and the molecule
of a compound?
Illustrate with one example each.
Ans Molecule of an element means one, two or more atoms of the same element
existing as one species in the Free State. Whereas, Molecule of a compound
Ph.Gokul Sharma
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc,(Physics), B.ed
Coordinator & Examiner for HSLC Exam (Bosem)

Atoms and molecule

Q45
Ans

means two or more atoms of different elements combined together in a

definite proportion by mass to form a species that can exist freely.
Example: Molecule of an element- H2, O3, P4
Molecule of a compound- H2O, NaCl, NH3
Why are atoms regarded as the building blocks of all matter?
Atoms are regarded as the building blocks of all matter because according to
Daltons atomic theory, all matter whether an element, a compound or a
mixture is made up of the smallest indivisible particles called atoms.

Ph.Gokul Sharma
B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc,(Physics), B.ed
Coordinator & Examiner for HSLC Exam (Bosem)