Unit

3
 Table of Contents

Unit 3: Electrons in Atoms

Part 1, Light, Electromagnetic

Waves, and Relationships
(including math calculations for
honors).
Ch. 5.1 & 5.3
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• Although three subatomic particles had been
discovered by 1932, the quest to understand
the atom and its structure had just begun.
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• Rutherford proposed that all of
an atom’s positive charge and
virtually all of its mass are
concentrated in a nucleus that
is surrounded by fast-moving
electrons.
• Although his nuclear model was a major
scientific development, it lacked detail about
how electrons occupy the space surrounding
the nucleus.
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• To physicists, the model did not explain
how the atom’s electrons are arranged in
the space around the nucleus.

• Nor did it address the question of why the

negatively charged electrons are not pulled
into the atom’s positively charged nucleus.
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• Many scientists in the early twentieth century
found Rutherford’s nuclear atomic model to
be fundamentally incomplete.

• Later in this unit you will learn how

electrons are arranged in an atom and how
that arrangement plays a role in chemical
behavior.
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• Chemists found Rutherford’s nuclear model
lacking because it did not begin to account
for the differences in chemical behavior
among the various elements.
• In the early 1900s, scientists began to unravel
the puzzle of chemical behavior.
• They had observed that certain elements
emitted visible light when heated in a flame.
 Electrons in Atoms: Basic Concepts

Light and Quantized

Energy
• Analysis of the emitted light revealed that
an element’s chemical behavior is related to
the arrangement of the electrons in its
atoms.
• In order for you to better understand this
relationship and the nature of atomic
structure, it will be helpful for you to first
understand the nature of light.