Actual Lesson Plan 1

(Related to class notes no. 1)

Name of Teacher / Designation : Preeti Singh/ Assistant Professor
Subject Code / Subject : Basic Chemistry/CHEM1005
Course / Branch : CE+ECE+CSE
Topics : Basics of chemistry, matter, atoms,
elements, Daltons theory
Duration : 60 mins
Resources required handling the class : Class Notes, visuals
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MOTIVATION
At its core, chemistry explains how the world around us works. After all, everything
(including us) is made out of atoms and chemical compounds. That means that when we
know the basics of chemistry we can understand how everything in the world interacts.
When you understand the basics of chemistry, you can understand the world around you
a lot better.

INTRODUCTION

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an
element. Atoms combine to form molecules, which then interact to form solids, gases, or
liquids. For example, water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms that have
combined to form water molecules. Many biological processes are devoted to breaking
down molecules into their component atoms so they can be reassembled into a more
useful molecule.

Atomic Particles

Atoms consist of three basic particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons. The nucleus
(center) of the atom contains the protons (positively charged) and the neutrons (no
charge). The outermost regions of the atom are called electron shells and contain the
electrons (negatively charged). Atoms have different properties based on the arrangement
and number of their basic particles.

The hydrogen atom (H) contains only one proton, one electron, and no neutrons. This can
be determined using the atomic number and the mass number of the element (see the
concept on atomic numbers and mass numbers).

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 Figure 2.1A.12.1A.1: Structure of an
atom: Elements, such as helium, depicted here, are made up of atoms. Atoms are made
up of protons and neutrons located within the nucleus, with electrons in orbitals
surrounding the nucleus.
Atomic Mass

Protons and neutrons have approximately the same mass, about 1.67 × 10 -24 grams.
Scientists define this amount of mass as one atomic mass unit (amu) or one Dalton.
Although similar in mass, protons are positively charged, while neutrons have no charge.
Therefore, the number of neutrons in an atom contributes significantly to its mass, but not
to its charge.

Electrons are much smaller in mass than protons, weighing only 9.11 × 10 -28 grams, or
about 1/1800 of an atomic mass unit. Therefore, they do not contribute much to an
element’s overall atomic mass. When considering atomic mass, it is customary to ignore
the mass of any electrons and calculate the atom’s mass based on the number of protons
and neutrons alone.

Electrons contribute greatly to the atom’s charge, as each electron has a negative charge
equal to the positive charge of a proton. Scientists define these charges as “+1” and “-1. ”
In an uncharged, neutral atom, the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus is equal to the
number of protons inside the nucleus. In these atoms, the positive and negative charges
cancel each other out, leading to an atom with no net charge.

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Dalton's atomic theory

Part 1: All matter is made of atoms.

Dalton hypothesized that the law of conservation of mass and the law of definite
proportions could be explained using the idea of atoms. He proposed that all matter is
made of tiny indivisible particles called atoms, which he imagined as "solid, massy, hard,
impenetrable, movable particle(s)".
It is important to note that since Dalton did not have the necessary instruments to see or
otherwise experiment on individual atoms, he did not have any insight into whether they
might have any internal structure. We might visualize Dalton's atom as a piece in a
molecular modeling kit, where different elements are spheres of different sizes and
colors. While this is a handy model for some applications, we now know that atoms are
far from being solid spheres.

Part 2: All atoms of a given element are identical in mass and properties.

Dalton proposed that every single atom of an element, such as gold, is the same as every
other atom of that element. He also noted that the atoms of one element differ from the
atoms of all other elements. Today, we still know this to be mostly true. A sodium atom
is different from a carbon atom. Elements may share some similar boiling points, melting
points, and electronegativities, but no two elements have the same exact set of properties.

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Picture of a molecular modeling kit including multiple types of plastic spheres in different
colors that represent elements and stick-like plastic "bonds".

Part 3: Compounds are combinations of two or more different types of atoms.

In the third part of Dalton's atomic theory, he proposed that compounds are combinations
of two or more different types of atoms. An example of such a compound is table salt.
Table salt is a combination of two separate elements with unique physical and chemical
properties. The first, sodium, is a highly reactive metal. The second, chlorine, is a toxic
gas. When they react, the atoms combine in a 1:1 ratio to form white crystals.
Since atoms are indivisible, they will always combine in simple whole number ratios.

Part 4: A chemical reaction is a rearrangement of atoms.

In the fourth and final part of Dalton's atomic theory, he suggested that chemical
reactions don't destroy or create atoms. They merely rearranged the atoms. Using our salt
example again, when sodium combines with chlorine to make salt, both the sodium and
chlorine atoms still exist. They simply rearrange to form a new compound.

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QUESTIONS
Short Question:
1. What is atom?
2. Define molecule and element.
3. Explain the Daltons theory of atom.
4. Explain the difference between atom and molecule.
Long Questions:
1. What are the postulates of Daltons Theory of atom?

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