Steps for creating a model of an atom

Step 1: Determine the number of protons, Example: sodium

neutrons, and electrons for the element

#P= atomic number P= 11

#E= atomic number E= 11
#N= mass #- atomic # N= 12

Step 2: Draw a nucleus with the number of

protons and neutrons listed P=1
1
N=1
2

Step 3: Draw the first ring around the nucleus

and start adding electrons to it. Continue adding P=1
electrons until ALL electrons are represented 1
N=1
but be sure to follow the rules below: 2

1st: holds 2 maximum

2nd: holds 8 maximum
3rd: holds 18 maximum

**Directions for drawing a model of an ion on back

 Steps for creating a model of an ion

Step 1: Determine the number of valence

electrons for the element by looking at the model
of the atom or by using the periodic table. 1 valence
electron
Groups 1 and 2: # of valence = group #
Groups 13-18: # of valence = group # - 10

Step 2: Decide whether the atom will lose or

gain electrons in order to have a full outer shell:

Lose: If there is only 1, 2, or 3 valence electrons

Gain: If there are 5, 6, or 7 valence electrons

 Sodium will lose its
***If the atom loses electrons, it will lose ALL of valence electron,
its valence electrons (the level underneath is already which removes the
full) third level.

***If the atom gains electrons, it will gain enough  The second level is
now its outermost
electrons so its outer shell is now full
level and is full.

Step 3: Draw the new electrons that it gained or

erase the electrons that it lost Now there
are only
10
electrons,
but still
Step 4: Determine the charge of the ion by using 11
the formula: protons

# of protons - # of electrons

Step 5: Write the element’s symbol with the Charge = P- E

charge as a superscript (top right corner of the
symbol) Charge = 11-10 = +1

Ion’s symbol and charge:

Na +1
JUST FOR YOU.

1. Draw the atomic model and electronic

configurations for the following atoms.
carbon (atomic number is 6)
A. oxygen (atomic number is 8)
B. magnesium (atomic number is 12)
C. Potassium (atomic number is 19)
D. helium (atomic number is 2)
E. Hydrogen (atomic number is 1)
2. An ion is a charged atom that has either gained or
lost electrons. When atoms gain electrons, they
become negatively charged, and when they lose
electrons, they become positively charged. Their
charge is equivalent to the number of electrons
gained or lost.
Example sodium Na has 11protons and 11
electrons. When one of its electrons is lost during
chemical bonding, a sodium ion is formed, Na+
The +1 indicates sodium lost only one electron.
Can you write down the charge of the following?

2a. Magnesium (Mg) losing two electrons.

2b. oxygen (O) gaining 2 electrons.
2c. Nitrogen (N) gaining 3 electrons.

2. Draw electronic model and configurations

for the Mg, O, and N atoms above.