Question 27 (5 marks)

Complete the table below, by writing the name of the scientist next to the description of their
contribution to atomic theory.

Description Marks
Proposed that electrons move in circular orbits with
Bohr 1
particular energy levels.
Discovered the neutron. Chadwick 1
Discovered the electron. Thomson 1
Proposed that atoms of the same element are the
Dalton 1
same, and atoms of different elements are different.
Proposed that an atom was largely empty space, with
Rutherford 1
a central nucleus.
Total 5
 spectra
How we know about energy shells

The electrons within an atom are arranged in shells

1st shell nucleus

2nd shell

Remember these shells Valence shell

REPRESENT an energy
value not a distance from
the nucleus
Other energy shells exist around the atom but have no
electrons

Electrons cannot exist between shells

Another representation

Electrons can be promoted from their ground state to

an excited state

Excited states

Ground state
They quickly return to the ground state releasing their
energy as photons

Excited states

Ground state

Alternatively

Excited states

Ground state
How do we excite electrons?
• 1 Use a spark

How do we excite electrons?

• 2 use heat
How do we excite electrons? Missing
colours
• 3 use light

Light passed through a gas will have

particular colours missing as light of
that colour was used to excite atom.

• The energy difference between levels can be determined by measuring the

frequency of the emitted photon.

• This was how scientists verified the existence of energy shells within atoms
Each atom has its own unique energy shells
• They each produce their own unique spectra

Na Hg Ne

Line emission spectra

Line emission spectra
• Are produced after individual atoms that have been excited by heat, electricity
or other light photons return to their ground states.
• Consist of bright lines on a black background
• Produce lines in the IR (Infrared) and UV(Ultra Violet) sections of the
spectrum as well as the visible

Applications
• Determining the mineral contents of ore
Determining the composition of stars

Producing light
Natural light shows

Absorption spectra
Remember this? Missing colours
• 3 use light

Light passed through a gas will have

particular colours missing as light of
that colour was used to excite atom.

All frequencies are present in a continuous spectrum

Electrons can be promoted from their ground state to
an excited state

Excited states

Ground state

Only specific frequencies are removed as other frequencies would

put the electron between shells

• This results in a continuous spectra with dark lines which

is unique to a particular type of atom
Doesn’t the excited atom re emit those same
frequencies?
• Yes but in all directions so the intensity is reduced in the direction you see the
light come from.
• A sample of face cream was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy
(AAS) to determine the concentration of nanogold present. The face
cream was dissolved and aspirated into a flame. A beam of light, at a
wavelength matching that of gold, was then passed through the flame.
This light was produced by a hollow cathode lamp containing gold atoms.

• Explain, in terms of electron behaviour, how the gold atoms in the hollow
cathode lamp can create an emission spectrum with these unique
wavelengths. (5 marks)

• Explain, in terms of electron behaviour, how the gold atoms in the hollow
cathode lamp can create an emission spectrum with these unique
wavelengths. (5 marks)

• The valence electrons in the atom absorb energy and become excited.
• The electrons move to higher energy levels temporarily.
• The electrons return to their ground state.
• The energy is released as light with specific frequencies, creating an
emission spectrum unique for each atom.
• because the energy shells in each element have slightly different
energy levels OR each element has a different number of electrons.