ASSIGNMENT 1

1. Discuss the five parts of Dalton’s Atomic Theory.

Discuss the law of conservation of mass and illustrate using an example.
State the law of multiple proportions [composition].
Who first proposed the law of multiple proportions ?
Explain what the law mean from our understanding of chemistry today.
Discuss the modern view of atomic structure..
Discuss briefly the discovery of the subatomic particles. Consider the
contributions of of Thompson, Rutherford, Chadwick, Millikan and others..
Comment on how did the discovery of subatomic particles and isotopes affect Dalton's
theories?

Question 1

Which of the scientific propositions by the several scientists got you interested the most in
understanding the atomic structure? Explain this theory in detail.
(5)

Question 2

The Bohr’s model had a number of limitations. List four of the major limitations, and explain
them.
(12)

Question 3

By using an illustration, explain what you understand the Uncertainty Principle

(5)

QUESTION 4

According to the Schrodinger’s theory, the behaviour of an electron in an atom is described

mathematically by a wave function, or orbital. Each wave function contains three variables,
called quantum numbers, which are represented as n, l and ml. These quantum numbers
describe the energy level of an orbital and define the shape and orientation of the region in
space where the electron will be found.
 4.1 Give the names for each of the three quantum numbers.
(3)
4.2 Which quantum number determines orientation of the electron?
(2)
4.3 State whether the following sets of quantum number is/are not allowed? Justify
your answer.
(10)
(a) n = 3, l = 2, ml = – 1

(b) n = 2, l = 3, ml = –1

(c) n = 3, l = 3, ml = 1

(d) n = 6, ; l = 3, ml = – 1

(e) n = 4, ; l = 2, ml = – 3

QUESTION 5

Out of the following pairs of electrons, identify the pairs of electrons present in degenerate
orbitals. Just your answer.
(10)

5.1 n = 3, l = 2, ml = -2, ms = -1/2

n = 3, l = 2, ml = -1, ms = -1/2

5.2 n = 3, l = 1, ml = 1, ms = +1/2
n = 3, l = 2, ml = 1, ms = +1/2

5.3 n = 4, l = 1, ml = 1, ms = -1/2
n = 3, l = 2, ml = 1, ms = -1/2

5.4 n = 3, l = 2, ml = +2, ms = -1/2

n = 3, l = 2, ml = +2, ms = +1/2

5.5 n = 2, l = 1, ml = 1, ms = -1/2
n = 2, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = -1/2