Atomic Structure

Atoms consist of three basic particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons. The outermost regions of the
atoms are called electron shells and contain the electrons.

Plum Pudding Theory

J.J. Thomson created this theory.
As each atom was a sphere filled with a
positively charged fluid, known as the
“pudding”. Scattered in this fluid were
negatively charged electrons, those
were the “plums” in the pudding.

Bohr Planetary Model

The Bohr Model is a planetary
model in which the negatively charged
electrons orbit a small, positively charged
nucleus similar to the planets orbiting the
sun (except that the orbits are not planar).

Electrons orbit the nucleus in orbits that

have a set size and energy. The energy of
the orbit is related to its size. The lowest
energy is found in the smallest orbit.
Radiation is absorbed or emitted when an
electron moves from one orbit to another.

In atom, the atomic number of protons =

number of electrons

AUFBAU Principle - As the electrons

move away from the nucleus, the greater
energy they have which means building
up.

MEL (n) Max # of e # of subtotal Sub-level # of orbitals

n designation
 −¿¿
Electronic Configuration – distribution of e in different sublevels of orbitals

CHONSPX – elements usually found in organic compounds

X – halogens (F, Cl, Br, I)

Number of unpaired electrons

1
1s 1
1 s 2 s 2 2 p2 or
2
2
2 2 1 1
1 s 2 s 2 px 2 p y
1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p1x 2 p 1y 2 p 1z 2
1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p1x 2 p 1y 2 p 1z 3
1