Atoms element and

compounds
Atoms are the smallest particles of matter, that
we cannot break down further by chemical
means.
In fact atoms are mostly empty space. Each consists of a nucleus and a
cloud of particles called electrons that whizz around it.
 Structure of the atom

Atoms consist of a nucleus and a cloud of electrons that move around

the nucleus. The nucleus is itself a cluster of two kinds of particles,
protons and neutrons ( nucleons ) . Collection of electrons, protons and
neutrons are known as subatomic particles.

All the particles in an atom are very light. So their mass is measured in
atomic mass units, rather than grams. Protons and electrons also have
an electric charge: Protons are positively charged particles . Electrons are
negatively charged particles and neutrons do not have a charge.
 Characteristics of a proton, a neutron
and an electron

Although atoms contain electrically charged particles, the atoms

themselves are electrically neutral (they have no overall electric charge).
This is because atoms contain equal numbers of electrons and protons.
Proton number and nucleon number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an
atom is called the proton number (or atomic
number) and I s given the symbol Z.
Each element has its own proton number and
no two different elements have the same
proton number.
An atom of helium has two protons,
two electrons and two neutrons.

Arrangement of electrons in an oxygen

atom
 Neutrons and protons have a similar mass. Electrons possess
very little mass. So the mass of any atom depends on the
number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The total number
of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom is
called the nucleon number (or mass number) and is given the
symbol A.

The proton number and nucleon number of an element are usually written
in the following shorthand way:
Number of protons, neutrons and electrons in some elements
 The arrangement of electrons in atoms is called electron configuration

The nucleus of an atom contains the heavier subatomic particles –

the protons and the neutrons. The electrons, the lightest of the sub-
atomic particles, move around the nucleus at great distances from
the nucleus relative to their size. They move very fast in electron
energy levels very much as the planets orbit the Sun.
It is not possible to give the exact position of an electron in an energy
level. However, we can state that electrons can only occupy certain,
definite energy
levels and that they cannot exist between them. Each of the electron
energy levels can hold only a certain number of electrons.
●● First energy level holds up to two electrons.
●● Second energy level holds up to eight electrons.
●● Third energy level holds up to 18 electrons.
But when electron fills in first 20 elements the electron configuration
going as 2,8,8, 18
The electrons fill the energy levels starting from
the energy level nearest to the nucleus, which has
the lowest energy.

When this is full (with two electrons) the next

electron goes into the second energy level.

When this energy level is full with eight electrons,

then the electrons begin to fill the third and fourth
energy levels as stated above.
We should start with the atoms that have atomic numbers
between 1 and 18. There is a 2-8-8 rule for these elements.
The first shell is filled with 2 electrons, the second is filled
with 8 electrons, and the third is filled with 8. 
Electronic structure of the first 20 elements
 Isotopes
Some atoms of the same element can contain different numbers of
neutrons and so have different nucleon numbers. Atoms of the same
element which have the same proton number but different neutron
numbers are called isotopes.

Generally, isotopes behave in the same way during chemical reactions

because they have the same number of electrons on their outer shell.

All carbon atoms have 6 protons. But not all carbon atoms are identical.
Some have more neutrons than others.
There are two types of isotopes: those which are stable and those which
are unstable.
The isotopes which are unstable, as a result of the extra neutrons
in their nuclei, are radioactive and are called radioisotopes. For example,
uranium-235, which is used as a source of power in nuclear reactors
,and cobalt-60, which is used in radiotherapy treatment , are both
radioisotopes.

Some atoms and their isotopes

Radioactive isotopes:
That means its nucleus is unstable. Sooner or later the atom breaks down
naturally or decays, giving out radiation in the form of rays and particles,
plus a large amount of energy.

Radiation can harm you

If the radiation from radioisotopes gets into your body, it will kill body
cells.

A large dose causes radiation sickness. Victims vomit a lot, and feel really
tired.

Their hair falls out, their gums bleed, and they die within weeks.
Even small doses of radiation, over a long period, will cause cancer
Making use of radioisotopes
Radioisotopes are dangerous – but they are also useful. For example:
To check for leaks Engineers can check oil and gas pipes for leaks by
adding radioisotopes to the oil or gas. If a Geiger counter detects
radiation outside the pipe, it means there is a leak. Radioisotopes used in
this way are called tracers.

To treat cancer Radioisotopes can cause cancer. But they are also used
in radiotherapy to cure cancer – because the gamma rays in radiation kill
cancer cells more readily than healthy cells. Cobalt-60 is usually used for
this. The beam of gamma rays is aimed carefully at the site of the cancer
in the body.

To kill germs and bacteria Gamma rays kill germs too. So they are
used to sterilise syringes and other disposable medical equipment.
They also kill the bacteria that cause food to decay. So in many countries,
foods like vegetables, fruit, spices, and meat, are treated with a low dose
of radiation. Cobalt-60 and cesium-137 are used for this.
Relative atomic mass
The average mass of a large number of atoms of an element is called its
relative atomic mass (symbol Ar).
Questions