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THE STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM

Core Competencies

1. Living and practicing the teachings of his religion

2. Live and practice honest behavior, discipline, responsibility, care (mutual cooperation,
cooperation, tolerance, peace), courteous, responsive and pro-active and show an attitude as
part of the solution to various problems in interacting effectively with the social and natural
environment as well as in placing oneself as a reflection of the nation in world relations.
3. Understand, apply, analyze factual, conceptual, procedural knowledge based on curiosity
about science, technology, arts, culture, and humanities with insights into humanity,
nationality, statehood and civilization related to the causes of phenomena and events, and
apply procedural knowledge to the field of study that specific according to their talents and
interests to solve problems.
4. Processing, reasoning, and presenting in the realm of concrete and abstract realms related to
the development of what they learn in school independently, and are able to use methods
according to scientific principles.

Basic Competiences
3.2 Analyzing the development of atomic models from the atomic models of Dalton, Thompson,
Rutherford, Bohr, and Quantum Mechanics.
4.2 Describe natural phenomena or experimental results using atomic models.

Contents
A. The Development of the Atomic Theory
B. Atomic Number anda Mass Number
C. Isotopes, Isobars, and Isotones
D. Bohr’s Atomic Model

Learning Objectives
After studying the chapter, students are expected to be able to :
1. Explain the development of the atomic theory or model : Dalton, Thomson, and Rutherford.
2. Describe the structure of atom containing subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
3. Define atomic number (Z) and mass number (A).
4. Use the atomic number and mass number to determine the number of protons, electrons, and
neutrons inside an atom.
5. Define isotopes, isobars, and isotones.
6. Explain Bohr’s atomic model
7. Writte down the electron configuration of atoms (Z< 20)

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 Material Description

What do you think

looking at the

picture on the side?

Do you know what

Figure 1. Iron Pile made it up?

Figure 2. Ice cubes that are melting

Let's Find Out ....!

Every matter in the universe is made up of tiny particles known to experts as atoms.

Since ancient times, humans first thought about the substances that make up each material, then

formulated the atomic theory and until now in this sophisticated age, the existence of atoms has

been accepted by everyone, but how the actual shape of these atoms and their constituents is not

known with certainty. Experts only conjecture based on laboratory observations of the symptoms

caused when a material is given a certain treatment. From the observations of these symptoms

the experts then made a theory about the atom and estimated the shape of the atom which was

known as the atomic model. The atomic models proposed by experts have been developing until

now and will continue to evolve along with the increasingly sophisticated laboratory instruments

supported by extraordinary advances in science and technology.

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 A. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATOMIC

Dalton’s Atomic Theory

John Dalton (1776 – 1844) did not doubt the validality of thr concept proposed by
Democritus. His assurance was based on Laws of Conservation of Mass and Definite
Proportions, which concept corresponded to. Based on that think, in 1803 Dalton formulated his
atomic theory consisting of the points below :

a. Matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms.

b. An element is matter composed of identical atoms that
have different masses and properties.
c. Different elements have different masses and properties.
d. A coumpound is composed of at least two atoms from
different elements with a fixed and specific proportion.
Atoms in compound are combined together through atomic
bonding.
e. Atom cannot be created nor destroyed. Chemical reactions
are merely a rearrangement of atoms that undergo the Figure 3. John dalton
reaction.

Figure 4. Dalton’s Atomic Theory

Thomson’s Atomic Theory

In 1898, J.J. Thomson provided an atomic model on

the assumption that an electron has a smaller mass than an

atom. Thus, it is considered as a particle composing an atom.

This was based on the e/m value of cathode rays which is

~1.800 times that of ion of the smallest atom, hydrogen.

Because an atom has a neutral charge, the negatively charged

electrons have to be neutralized by positive charge inside an Figure 5. J.J. Thomson

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atom.The presence of this positive charge had been suggested by Eugene Goldstein in 1886 . In

general , Thomson’s model can be stated as follows.

Thomson’s atomic model

Atom is a sphere in which the positive

charges spread out evenly in the atom are
neutralized by negatively charged electron
positioned among positive charges.
Electrons in an atom are like raisins in plum
pudding.
Figure 6. Thomson’s Atomic Theory

The Thomson’s model lasted for more than a

decade before being replaced by Rutherford’s atomic model after the discovery of another

subatomic particle alled proton.

Rutherford’s Atomic Theory

In 1991, Ernest Rutherford resumed Lenard’s experiment

using α particle instead of electron. The experiment was

conduscted by two of his assistants, Hans Geiger and Ernest

Marsden.

From the experiment, Rutherford concluded that :

a. A large fraction of the room in an atom is empty. This is

indicated by a large number of α particles pass straight

through, not deflected.

Figure 7. Rutherford
b. Atom has a tiny yet very dense core called the nucleus.

This is indicated by a small fraction of α particles that are bounced back by the nucleus.

c. The charge of the nucleus is the same as that of the particle, which is positive. This is

because a small number of the α particles are deflected and that deflection occurs due to

repulsion forces between similar charges.

The results of the experiment brought down the Thompson’s atomic model and replaced it

with the Rutherford’s atomic model.

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 Rutherford’s atomic model

Atom is composed of a positively

charged nucleus surrounded by
negatively charged electrons, just like
planets revolving around the sun. Most of
the mass in an atom is concentrated in the
nucleus and a large fraction of its volume
is empty space. As an atom is neutral, the
numbers of the positive charges in the
nucleus (the number of protons) must be
the same as that of electrons.
Figure 8. Rutherford’s Atomic Theory

Bohr’s Atomic Theory

In 1913, Bohr applied Placnk’s quantum theory to put formward his postulate so as to
explain the atomic stability and the hydrogen atomic spectrum.
Bohr’s Postulates
a.Electrons travel around the nucleus in a certain stationary
course called an orbit or a shell. Athough electrons experience
acceleration, they do not emit or absorb energy in the orbit, hece
their energy remains constant.
b. Electrons can move from one orbit to another by emitting or
absorbing energy.
In general, the Bohr’s atomic model could explain the atomic stability
and the hydrogen atomic spectrum well. However, it had weaknesses
Figure 9. Niels Bohr
among them:
- The model could only explain the hydrogen atomic spectrum
accurately, and failed to explain atomic spectra that were more
complex than those of hydrogen.
- The assumption that electrons travel around the nucleus in a
circular orbit was not completely true, for ellipse shapes are
possible.
- The model cannot explain the thin lines in the hydrogen
atomic spectrum because Bohr only considers electron as Figure 10. Bohr’s Atomic Theory
particles. The next atomic theory uses the dualism
characteristic of electron, i.e. electron as a particle and a wave. The characteristic causes the
position of the electrons inside an atom to be indeterminate and can only be described by a
probability.

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 Bohr’s Atomic Theory

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B. Atomic Number and Mass Number
Scientists have established the relationship between the number of subatomic particles in
an atom with the characteristics of the atom that are denoted by its atomic number and mass
number.

Atomic Number (Z)

If an element it struck with a high energy beam of
electrons, the element will emit X-rays, electromagnetic
waves with a high frequency. Each chemical element has a
characteristic of X-ray spectrum, that is, of a certain
frequency. In 1912, Henry Moseley (1887 – 1915)
conducted an experiment on the X-ray spectra of chemical
elements. He measured the frequency of the X-rays
produced when the cathode rays struck various elements that
acted as the anode. Moseley noticed a regularity between the
X-ray frequencies emitted by elements and the positive
charges in the nucleus. He used the term atomic number (Z) Figure 11. Henry Moseley
to state the number of positive charges inside the nucleus. It
turned out that the atomic number (Z) was no other than the number of protons. (The term proton
had not been introduced yet).
The experiment proved that the atomic number Z (the number of proton) was indeed a
characteristic of an element. Different elements have different atomic numbers. Take a look at
table .

As an atom is neutral, the number of positive charges (protons) in the atom has to be the
same as the number of negative charges (electrons). So, the atomic number (Z) of a neutral atom
also states the number of electrons in the atom.

The atomic number (Z) states the number of protons (p). For a neutral
atom, the atomic number (Z) also states the number of electrons.

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 Mass Number (A)
Atoms are composed of a number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. As explained before,
the masses of proton and neutron are larger than that of electron. Thus, the mass of an atom is
approximately equal to the total mass of protons and neutrons. The mass of atom is stated as a
mass number (A), which is the number of protons and neutrons inside an atom.

Mass number (A) = Number of protons (p)

+ Number of neutrons (n)
Atomic number (Z) and mass number (A) are characteristics of atoms in an element. If X is
the symbol of a chemical element, the atomic number and mass number can be written using
notation below.

Self Practice

After learning about the atomic number and mass number of an element, try to complete the table below.

Element Symbol Atomic Number Number of protons (p) Number of neutrons (n) Mass number Notation

Argon Ar 18 … … 40 …

Kalsium Ca … 20 20 … …

Radium Ra … … 138 … …
Ra
88

Aluminium Al … … … … 27
13 Al

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C. Isotopes, Isobars, and Isotones
Isotopes
Atoms that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes.

Take a look at the three isotopes of the element hydrogen (Z = 1) : 11 H , 21 H , and 31 H )

Isobars
Atoms from different elements that have

different atomic number (Z) can have the same

mass number (A). Such atoms are called

isobars. Examples of isobars are hydrogen atom

3 3
1 H and helium atom 2 He .

Isotones
Atoms from different elements with different

atomic numbers (Z) can have the same number

of neutrons (n). Such atoms are called isotones.

For examples, hydrogen atom 31 H and helium

atom 42H e .

Self - Practice
From these six pairs of atoms, determine which are isotopes, isobars, and isotones.
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a. 19 K and 17 Cl d. 199 F and 20
10 Ne

31 32
b. 15 P and 16S e. 105B and 115B
15 17
c. 17 N and 8O f. 105 106
47 Ag and 48 Cd
Electron Configuration

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 The Bohr’s atomic model introduced the concept of quantum number n = 1, 2, 3, … that
states the orbit or atom shell. An atom shell can have more than one electrons in atom shell can
have more than one electron. The arrangement of electrons in atom shells is known as electron
configuration. Here you will learn electron configuration for atoms of elements Z = 1 until Z =
20.
Atom shells n = 1, n = 2, n = 3, … are named shell K, L, M, …. In general, the electron
configuration for atoms of elements Z< 20 follows the following rules:
a. Filling the electrons start from the lowest level of energy, i.e shell K.
b. Shell K can hold a maximum of 2
Figure 11. electron configuration in shells
electrons, while shells L and M can
hold a maximum of 8 electron.
c. For atoms of the elements Z = 19 and Z = 20, filling the electrons is until shell N.

Self Practice

Draw the electron configuration of atoms belonging to the elements below :

a. Nitrogen, Z = 7
b. Neon, Z = 10
c. Aluminium, Z =13

Valence Electron

The electron configuration on the outer shells plays an important role in determining
the element’s chemical properties. Electrons in the outer shell are called valence electron.
Elements with identical number of valence electron have similar chemical properties.

Figure 12. Valence electron of K element

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 Chapter Assesment
A. Multiple Choices
1. “ Matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms that cannot be split”. This statement refers
to the atomic theory proposed by …
A. John Dalton
B. J.J. Thomson
C. E. Rutherford
D. Niels Bohr
E. E. Schrodinger
2. The atomic model according to Rutherford is ….
A. B. C. D. E.

3. The centre of an atom could not contain ….

A. Neutral particles
B. Negatively charged particles
C. Positively charged particles
D. Less protons than neutrons
E. The same number of protons and neutrons
4. The number of protons and neutrons of 242
92 Pu are ….

A. 242 and 92
B. 92 and 242
C. 92 and 150
D. 150 and 92
E. 242 and 150
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5. 19 K and 20 Ca are examples of ….
A. Nucleons
B. Isobars
C. Valences
D. Isotopes
E. Isotones

6. Nitrogen (Z= 7) has a number of isotopes, two of which are N- 14 and N -15. Which one of

the following statements is correct ?

A. N- 14 has more nuetrons than N-15
B. N- 14 has more protons than N-15
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 C. N- 15 has fewer electrons than N-14
D. Both have different numbers of nucleons
E. None are correct
7. All statements related Bohr’s atomic model are not true, expect ….
A. Electron circles the nucleus in a nonstationary orbit.
B. Electron can move from one orbit to another without emitted or absorbing energy.
C. Orbit with a quantum number n = 4 refers to shell N.
D. Hydrogen atom with 1 electron has only one orbit.
E. The concept of orbit was based on the fact that atom has a continuous spectrum

8. The electron configuration of atom of potassium (Z= 19) is ….

A. 2, 8, 8, 1
B. 2, 16, 1
C. 2, 8, 9
D. 10, 8, 1
E. 2, 8, 2, 2, 7
9. The number of valence electron of an element having a mass number of 80 and 45 neutron is
….
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
E. 7
10. Atom of another element that has similar chemical properties with atom 16 X is ….
A. 15 A
B. 18 B
C. 19 C
D. 9 D
E. 8 E
B. Essays
1. a. The atomic concept was introduced by Democritus around 2500 years ago. Explain the
concept and point out why it wasn’t considered scientific at that time.
b. Why was Dalton’s atomic theory already considered scientific ?
2. How did J.J. Thomson prove that atom is not the smallest particle of matter, and come up with
his atomic model to replace Dalton’s Model ?
3. What caused Thomson’s Atomic Model to be replaced by Rutherford’s Model ?
4. Why does Rutherford’s Atomic Model use the term ‘positive charge’ instead of ‘proton’ ?
5. Explain how the discovery of neutron plays a role in the development of atomic structure.

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6. An atom has several subatomic particles, three of which are proton, electron, and neutron.
Chemists consider an atomic model with three of these particles is sufficient. Explain the
reason.
7. Consider the element of aluminium 27
13 Al

a. What are the atomic number and mass number of aluminium ?

b. What is the difference between atomic number and mass number ?
c. Could another element have the same atomic number as aluminium ? Why ?
d. From the information above, can you determine the number of electrons of aluminium ?

8. Check out the two atoms of Carbon (Z= 6); C-12 and C-14.

a. Are C-12 and C-14 isotopes, isobars, or isotones ?

b. Element X has 7 protons and 7 neutrons. Does element X form a pair of isotopes, isobars,
or isotones with atom C-14 ?
9. a. Why was Rutherford’s atom considered unstable ?
b. Explain the importance of atomic spectrum in the development of Bohr’s atomic model.
Relate your explanation with Bohr’s postulates.

10. You are given three elements : Be (Z= 4), F(Z= 9), and Mg (Z= 12)

a. Write down their electron configuration

b. Determine their valence electrons
c. Which two elements have similar chemical properties ? Explain briefly.

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 Bibliography

Atkins, P.W. 1990. Physical Chemistry, 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman and Co.

J.M.C. Johari. 2010. Chemistry Grade X. Jakarta : Esis.

Sudarmo, Unggul. 2016. Chemistry Grade X. Jakarta : Erlangga

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