ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER

Rutherford’s Atomic Model

The atom, as described by Ernest Rutherford, has a tiny,
massive core called the nucleus. The nucleus has a positive
charge. Electrons are particles with a negative charge.
Electrons orbit the nucleus. Rutherford’s atomic model pictures
the atom as mostly empty space and its mass is concentrated
in the nucleus, where you find the protons and the neutrons.
However, it could not explain why metals or compounds of
metals give off characteristic colors when heated in a flame, or why objects–when heated to
much higher temperatures first glow to dull red, then to yellow, and then to white.

Bohr’s Atomic Model

Niels Bohr refined Rutherford’s model of an atom. Based on
his experiments, Bohr described the electron to be moving in
definite orbits around the nucleus.
Individual lines in the atomic spectra of elements indicate
definite energy transformations within the atom. Bohr considered
the electrons as particles moving around the nucleus in fixed
circular orbits. These orbits are found at definite distances from the
nucleus. The orbits are known as the energy levels, n where n is a
whole number 1, 2, 3…and so forth.
Electrons in each orbit have a definite energy, which
increases as the distance of the orbit from the nucleus increases.
As long as the electron stays in its orbit, there is no absorption or
emission of energy. when an electron of an element absorbed
extra energy (from a flame or electric arc), this electron moves to
a higher energy level (exited state). At this point the electron is at
its excited state. Once excited, the atom is unstable. The same
electron can return to any of the lower energy levels (ground state) releasing energy in the
form of light with a particular color and a definite energy or wavelength.
Bohr’s model explained the appearance of the bright line spectrum of the hydrogen
atom but could not explain for atoms that has more than one electron.

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
The Electron Shell
The Bohr model shows the atom as a central
nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with the
electrons in circular electron shells at specific
distances from the nucleus, similar to planets orbiting
around the sun.
We will start with a very simple way of showing
the arrangement of electrons around an atom. Here,
electrons are arranged in energy levels, or shells,
around the nucleus of an atom. Electrons that are in
the first energy level (energy level 1) are closest to the
nucleus and will have the lowest energy. Electrons further away from the nucleus will have
higher energy. An atom’s electron shell can accommodate 2n2 electrons, where n is the
energy level. For example, the first shell can accommodate 2 x (1)2 or 2 electrons. The second
shell can accommodate 2 x (2)2, or 8, electrons.

Electrons at the Energy Levels of an Atom

Energy Level
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Number
Maximum Number
of Electrons found 2 8 18 32 32 18 8
in nature

As an example, fluorine (F), has an atomic number of 9, meaning that a neutral fluorine
atom has 9 electrons. The first 2 electrons are found in the first energy level, and the other 7
are found in the second energy level.

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
The Quantum Mechanical Model
The quantum mechanical model is based on quantum
theory, which says matter also has properties associated with
waves. According to quantum theory, it’s impossible to know the
exact position and momentum of an electron at the same time.
This is known as the Uncertainty Principle.
The quantum mechanical model of the atom uses complex
shapes of orbitals (sometimes called electron clouds), volumes of space in which there is likely
to be an electron. So, this model is based on probability rather than certainty.
Three physicists led the development of a better model of the atom. These were Louie
de Broglie, Erwin Schrodinger, and Werner Karl Heisenberg. De Broglie proposed that the
electron (which is thought of as a particle) could also be thought of as a wave. Schrodinger
used this idea to develop a mathematical equation to describe the hydrogen atom.
Heisenberg discovered that for a very small particle like the electron, its location cannot be
exactly known and how it is moving.
These scientists believed that there is only
a probability that the electron can be found in
a certain volume in space around the nucleus.
This volume or region of space around the
nucleus where the electron is most likely to be
found is called an atomic orbital. Thus, we could
only guess the most probable location of the
electron at a certain time to be within a certain
volume of space surrounding the nucleus.
The quantum mechanical model views an electron as a cloud of negative charge
having a certain geometrical shape. This model shows how likely an electron could be found
in various locations around the nucleus. However, the model does not give any information
about how the electron moves from one position to another.
The quantum mechanical model also gives information about the energy of the
electron. The model also describes the region of space around the nucleus as consisting of
shells. These shells are also called principal or main energy levels. The principal energy levels
or shells may have one or more sublevels. These sublevels are assigned with letters: s, p, d, f,
and g.
The principal quantum number always equals the number of sublevels within that
principal energy level. The maximum number of electrons that can occupy a principal energy
level is given by the formula 2n2, where n is the principal quantum number.

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Principal Energy Levels and Sublevels of Electrons

Principal energy Number of Type of Sublevel and number of Maximum number of

level, n Sublevels orbitals electrons
1 1 1s (1 orbital) 2
2 2 2s (1 orbita l), 2p (3 orbitals) 8
3s (1 orbital) 3p (3 orbitals)
3 3 18
3d (5 orbitals)
4s (1 orbital), 4p (3 orbitals)
4 4 32
4d (5 orbitals), 4f (7 orbitals)
5s (1 orbital), 5p (3 orbitals)
5 5 5d (5 orbitals), 5f (7 orbitals) 50
5g (9 orbitals)

The Electronic Configuration

In an atom, electrons and the nucleus interact to make the most stable arrangement
possible. The way in which electrons are distributed in the different orbitals around the nucleus
of an atom is called the electron configuration.
Arrangement of electrons in the atoms of the first 10 elements
Electronic Configuration
O R B I T A L Mnemonic Device
Chemical 1s 2s 2px 2py 2pz Electron
Symbol Configuration
1H ↑ 1s1
2He ↑↓ 1s2
3Li ↑↓ ↑ 1s22s1
4Be ↑↓ ↑↓ 1s22s2
5B ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ 1s22s22px1
6C ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↑ 1s22s22px12py1
7N ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↑ ↑ 1s22s22px12py12pz1
8O ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↑ 1s22s22px22py12pz1
9F ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ 1s22s22px22py22pz1
10Ne ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ 1s22s22px22py22pz2

The Atomic Orbitals

Though electrons can be represented simply as circling the nucleus in rings, in reality,
electrons move along paths that are much more complicated. These paths are called atomic
orbitals, or subshells. There are several different orbital shapes—s, p, d, and f.
The electronic configuration of an element describes how the electrons of its atoms are
arranged in their shells, their sub-shells and atomic orbitals.

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
In an atom, the orbitals (a region of space around the nucleus in which the probability
of finding a particular electron is the greatest) are filled in order of increasing energy (starting
from 1s orbital) according to the following:
3 Rules of Writing Electronic Configurations of Atoms
1. Aufbau Principle
The added electron will always occupy the orbital with the lowest energy first.
2. Pauli Exclusion Principle (Wolfgang Pauli)
Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons of opposite spins. Each subshell has
double the electrons per orbital. The s subshell has 1 orbital that can hold up to 2 electrons,
the p subshell has 3 orbitals that can hold up to 6 electrons, the d subshell has 5 orbitals that
hold up to 10 electrons, and the f subshell has 7 orbitals with 14 electrons.

Subshell Number of Orbitals Maximum Number of Electrons

s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14

3. Hund’s Rule (Friedrich Hund)

When filling a sub-shell, each orbital must be occupied singly (keeping electron spins
the same) before they are occupied in pairs.

Examples:

13Al = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

27Co = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d7

30Zn = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Summary:

➢ Rutherford’s nuclear atomic model describes the atom as mostly empty space. Its mass is
concentrated in the nucleus that consist of protons and neutrons. However, it could not explain
the chemical properties of elements.
➢ Bohr’s atomic model describes the atom like a solar system, where the electron is found only in
specific circular paths, or orbits, around the nucleus.
➢ In the Bohr model, each electron carries a fixed amount of energy and does not lose energy as
long as it stays in its given orbit. The fixed energies that the electrons have are called energy
levels. An electron that has received enough energy can jump to a higher energy level. When
the electron returns to a lower energy level, energy is emitted in the form of light.
➢ Through mathematical calculations, scientists explained that there is only a probability that the
electron can be found in a certain volume in space around the nucleus. This volume or region
of space around the nucleus where the electron is most likely to be found is called an atomic
orbital.
➢ Schrodinger formulated a mathematical equation that describes the behavior of the electron.
The solution to the equation is used to calculate the probability of finding the electron at a
particular region in space around the nucleus.
➢ The quantum mechanical model of the atom describes the atom as having a nucleus at the
center around which the electrons move. This model describes a region in space where the
electron is most likely to be found.
➢ An electron is imagined to be a cloud of negative charge having a certain geometrical shape.
The electrons are arranged in principal or main energy levels that consist of one or more
sublevels.
➢ The way in which electrons are distributed in the different orbitals around the nucleus of an atom
is called the electron configuration. Filling of electrons start from lower energy level to highest
energy level

Glossary:

Atomic orbital – the region of space in which there is a high probability of finding the electron in an
atom

Electron cloud – an imaginary representation of an electron’s rapidly changing position around the
nucleus over time

Electron configuration – the distribution of electrons within the orbitals of the atoms of an element

Excited state – any electron configuration of an atom or molecule other than the lowest
energy(ground) state

Exclusion Principle – a principle developed by Wolfgang Pauli stating that no two electrons in an
atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers

Ground state – the electron configuration of an atom or ion that is lowest in energy Quantum
number- a number that specifies a property of an orbital or an electron

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SAN CARLOS CITY
SPEAKER EUGENIO PEREZ NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Name: ______________________________ Score: ____________________
Section: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
Activity No. ______

Direction: Choose the letter of the BEST answer in each number.

_____1. Who proposed the probability that electrons will be found in certain locations around the nucleus of an atom?
A. Neils Bohr B. Erwin Schrodinger C. Ernest Rutherford D. J.J. Thomson
_____2. Which orbital designation has the highest energy?
A. 2s B. 2p C. 3d D. 4s
_____3. Which of the following statements is NOT true of the atomic model of Bohr?
A. The hydrogen is made up of a positively charged nucleus C. The energy of the electron in a given orbit is not fixed.
B. The electron revolves around the nucleus in a circular orbit. D. An electron can absorb or emit a quantity of radiation.
_____4. Which statement is incorrect?
A. Orbital is a region in an atom where an electron can be found.
B. An electron can absorb energy when it jumps to a higher energy level.
C. An electron can emit energy when it jumps to a higher energy level.
D. Filling of electrons in an atom start from lower energy level to highest energy level
_____5. On the basis of Rutherford’s model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the nucleus of an atom during his time?
A. neutron and electron B. proton and electron C. proton and neutron D. proton only
_____6. What main energy level of an atom can accommodate a maximum of 8 electrons?
A. 1st energy level B. 2nd energy level C. 4th energy level D. 6th energy level
_____7. If the first and second energy levels of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of electrons in the atom?
A. 6 B. 8 C. 10 D. 18
_____8. What are the orbitals present in the fifth principal energy level?
A. s orbital B. s, p orbitals C. s, p, d orbitals D. s, p, d, f orbitals
_____9. . What is the Pauli Exclusion Principle?
A. An atomic orbital can only hold a maximum of 2 electrons, each with opposite spins
B. An atomic orbital can hold a maximum of 6 electrons, each with the same spin
C. An atomic orbital can hold a minimum of 6 electrons, each with opposite spins
D. An atomic orbital can hold a minimum of 2 electrons, each with opposite spins
_____10. Electrons occupy orbitals of lowest energy first is part of what electron configuration rule?
A. Hund’s Rule B. Aufbau Principle C. Rutherford’s Rule D. Pauli Exclusion Principle
_____11. How many electrons can the first energy level hold?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 8 D. 0
_____12. How many electrons can each p orbital hold?
A. 6 B. 3 C. 2 D. 4
_____13. How many orbitals are there in the "d" sublevel?
A. 1 B. 3 C. 5 D. 7
_____14. How many total electrons can the orbitals in the "f" sublevel hold?
A. 2 B. 6 C. 10 D. 14
_____15. How many electrons can the “d” sublevel hold?
A. 2 B. 6 C. 10 D. 14
UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SAN CARLOS CITY
SPEAKER EUGENIO PEREZ NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Name: ______________________________ Score: ____________________
Section: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
Activity No. ______

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct but if it's false, change the underlined word or group of words to make the
whole statement true.

_____1. Rutherford’s atomic model pictures the atom as mostly empty space and its mass is concentrated in the
nucleus, where you find the protons and the neutrons.

_____2. Bohr’s atomic model describes the atom like a solar system, where the electron is found only in specific circular
paths, or orbits, around the nucleus.

_____3. In the Bohr model, each electron carries a fixed amount of energy and does not lose energy as long as it stays in
its given orbit.

_____4. Electrons in each orbit have a definite energy, which decreases as the distance of the orbit from the nucleus
increases.

_____5. The electrons are moving around the nucleus in linear orbit. When electrons absorbed extra energy from
outside source (flame), the electron moves to a higher orbit.

_____6. The quantum mechanical model of the atom describes the atom as having a nucleus at the center around which
the electrons move. This model describes a region in space where the electron is most likely to be found.

_____7. According to Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, it’s impossible to know the exact position and momentum of an
electron at the same time.

_____8. The way in which electrons are distributed in the different orbitals around the nucleus of an atom is called the
atomic orbital.

_____9. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons of same spins.

_____10. In an atom, the orbitals are filled in order of increasing energy.

_____11. The s subshell has 1 orbital that can hold up to 2 electrons.

_____12. The p subshell that can hold up to 3 electrons.

_____13. The f subshell contains 7 orbitals.

_____14. The d subshell can hold 10 electrons

_____15. The p subshell contains 5 orbitals

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SAN CARLOS CITY
SPEAKER EUGENIO PEREZ NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Name: ______________________________ Score: ____________________
Section: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
Activity No. ______

Direction: Write the electronic configuration and the box orbital diagram of the following element.
Example:
30Zn = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10

1. 36Kr

2. 20Ca

3. 35Br

4. 32Ge

5. 21Sc

6. 15P

7. 30Zn

8. 12Mg

9. 17Cl

10. 37Rb
UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SAN CARLOS CITY
SPEAKER EUGENIO PEREZ NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Name: ______________________________ Score: ____________________
Section: _____________________________ Date: _____________________
Activity No. ______

Direction: Write the electron shell of the following elements.

Example:

8O = 8 electrons

1. 27Co 6. 17Cl

2. 33As 7. 19K

3. 25Mn 8. 11Na

4. 41Nb 9. 28Ni

5. 26Fe 10. 35Br

UNIT 2: MODULE 1
 ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
KEY ANSWER TO ACTIVITIES
1 2
1. C 6. B 11. B 1. TRUE 6. TRUE 11. TRUE
2. D 7. C 12. A 2. TRUE 7. TRUE 12. 6 ELECTRONS
3. C 8. D 13. C 3. TRUE 8. ELECTRONIC 13. TRUE
4. C 9. A 14. D 4. INCREASES CONFIGURATION 14.TRUE
5. C 10. B 15. C 5. CIRCULAR ORBIT 9. OPPOSITE 15. D SUBSHELL

10. TRUE
3
1. 36Kr = 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p6
2. 20Ca = 1s22s22p63s23p64s2
3. 35Br = 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p5
4. 32Ge = 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p2
5. 21Sc = 1s22s22p63s23p63d14s2
6. 15P = 1s22s22p63s23p3
7. 11Na = 1s22s22p63s1
8. 12Mg = 1s22s22p63s2
9. 17Cl = 1s22s22p63s23p5
10. 37Rb = 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p65s1

4
1. 27Co = 2,8,15,2 6. 17Cl = 2,8,7
2. 33As = 2,8,18,5 7. 19K = 2,8,8,1
3. 25Mn = 2,8,13,2 8. 11Na = 2,8,1
4. 41Nb = 2,8,18,12,1 9. 28Ni = 2,8,16,2
5. 26Fe = 2,8,14,2 10. 35Br = 2,8,18,7

UNIT 2: MODULE 1