Structure of an

Atom
 Atom
• An atom is the smallest particle of an element
that can/cannot exist independently.
• Atoms of some Elements like the Nobel Gases
can exist independently because their valence
(outermost) shells are complete.
• Other than Nobel gases, normally atoms of
elements do not exist independently because
their outermost shells are not complete
 Atom
• An atom comprises of two parts :
1. Nuclear Portion
• It is situated at the center of the nucleus
• It contains two particles; the protons and the neutrons
• It is called as the nucleus
2. Extranuclear Portion
• It is present around the nucleus in the form of orbits also called as shells or energy levels
• It contains particles called as electrons.
• The electrons are continuously revolving around the nucleus.
• An atom has therefore three fundamental particles; neutrons, protons
and electrons.
Characteristics of Atomic Particles
Representation of an
Atom

• The Atomic number ( proton

number) (Z) is the total number of
protons present in the nucleus of an
atom
• The Mass number (nucleon number)
(A) is the total number of protons
and neutrons present in the nucleus
of the atom.
• In a neutral atom, the number of
protons and electrons are equal
 Electronic Configuration
• Electronic configuration refers to the number of electrons and atom can carry
in each of its shell.
• The formula to find the number of electrons present in each shell of an atom is
2𝑛2 , where n is the shell number.
• According to the formula, the first shell of an atom can accommodate 2 e the
2nd shell can accommodate 8 e the 3rd shell can accommodate 18 e whereas
the 4th shell can accommodate 32 e
Ions
• An atom is always identified by its atomic number or proton number.
• An atom is always neutral
• Ions are species which carry either a positive or negative charge. For
instance, 𝑁𝑎+ , 𝐶𝑙 − , 𝐶𝑎+2
• Ions are of two types: Cations (+ ions) and Anions (- ions)
• A cation is a species that carries a positive charge. It is formed when
atom loses 1 or more electrons.
• An anion is a species that carries a negative charge. It is formed when
atom gains 1 or more electrons.
• The number of protons and electrons are not equal in an ion
Isotopes
• Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same atomic
number but different mass/ nucleon number/neutrons.
• In isotopes, the number or protons and electrons are the same, but
number of neutrons are different.
 Isotopic Abundance
• Most elements occur naturally as a mixture of two or more isotopes.
• The naturally occurring isotopes of several elements have different
percentage abundances.
• For many other elements, however, more than one isotope may exist in more
substantial quantities.
Finding Average Atomic Mass from Isotopic Abundance

• To find the average atomic mass of an element that has different

isotopes, we will take the sum of the product of the mass of its
isotopes with their isotopic abundances.
 • The average atomic mass is measured in
a.m.u
• a.m.u stands for atomic mass unit
• The relative atomic mass of chlorine is in
fraction form (35.5) because its isotopes
Average have different isotopic abundance and
taking average of those two isotopes gives
Atomic Mass us the relative atomic mass of chlorine in
fraction.
• The relative atomic mass of elements like
Bromine (80) is in whole number because
the isotopic abundance of its is isotopes is
equal
 Industrial Use

• Na-24 is used to check leakages in pipes

Medical Use

• Tc-99 is used in the treatment of brain tumor

(cancer).
Uses of • I-131 is used to check the function of the
thyroid gland

Isotopes Carbon Dating

• C-14 is used to check the age of fossil fuels

Source of Energy

• U-238 is used as a source of energy in nuclear

power stations
 Behavior of subatomic particles in electric field
• Proton will be deflected towards the negative plate because it is positively
charged.
• Electron will be deflected towards the positive plate because it is negatively
charged
• Neutron will not be deflected and continue in their direction of motion because it
is neutral
• Conclusion
• Protons are positively charged
• Electrons are negatively charged
• Neutrons are neutral
Properties of Elements
• Physical properties of elements depend upon atomic or molecular
mass
• As mass increases, the melting point and boiling point increase
• The boiling point of 𝐻2 0 is a 100˚C and 𝐷2 0 is 101.1 ˚C because 𝐷2 0
has a greater mass.
• Chemical properties depend upon the number of electrons in the
outer shell of an atom. If the electrons in the outer shell are same,
the chemical properties are the same