GRADE IX

CHEMISTRY NOTES
STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM
_____________________________________________________________________________
Learning objectives:
● Identify the charged particles in matter.
● Analyse Thomson's model of an atom.
● Identify the observations and conclusion and examine the drawback of Rutherford’s
model of an atom.
● Analyse Bohr's model of the atom.
● Identify the distribution of electrons in different shells.
● Examine the valency of the first 18 elements in the periodic table
● Identify the atomic number, mass number, isotopes and isobars of elements.

Sub-atomic particles of an atom include:

(a) Electrons – negatively charged with a charge of –1 and negligible mass.

(b) Protons – Positively charged with a charge of +1 and mass is 1 u.

(c) Neutrons – Particles which have no charge and mass of 1 u.

Thomson’s model of an atom

• Atom is electrically neutral consisting of a positively charged sphere with electrons embedded in it.

• If failed to explain the results of experiments carried out by other scientists.

Rutherford’s model of an atom

• He performed the α-particle scattering experiment and proposed that an atom is electrically neutral,
with a positively charged nucleus having protons and neutrons and negatively charged electrons revolving
around the nucleus.
Bohr’s model of an atom

• An atom has a positively charged nucleus and electrons revolve in permitted circular orbits with fixed
radii and energy.

• Bohr explained the drawback of Rutherford’s model of an atom.

• The number of electrons that can be present in a given shell is 2n², when ‘n’ is the number of shells.

• Maximum number of electrons in the outermost orbit should not exceed 8.

Valency

• The combining capacity of the atoms of an element is valency.

• Elements having 1, 2, 3, and 4 electrons in the valence shell, have valency equal to the number of
electrons.

• Elements having more than 4 electrons in the valence shell have valency equal to 8 minus the number
of valence electrons.

Ion: An ion is a charged particle and can be negatively or positively charged. A negatively charged ion is
called an anion and a positively charged ion is called a cation.

Atomic number and mass number

• Atomic number (z) is the number of protons in one atom of an element.

• Mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons present in the atom of the element.

• Notation for an atom

Isotopes

• Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number but different mass number.

• Isotopes are useful as nuclear fuel, in the medical field, in carbon dating, etc.

I. Answer to the textbook questions:

(Pg 47)

1)What are canal rays?

Answer: Canal rays are positively charged radiations. These rays consist of positively charged particles
known as protons. They were discovered by Goldstein in 1886.

2)If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not?
Answer: An electron is a negatively charged particle, whereas a proton is a positively charged particle.
The magnitude of their charges is equal. Therefore, an atom containing one electron and one proton will
not carry any charge. Thus, it will be a neutral atom.
(Pg 49)

1) On the basis of Thomson’s model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a whole.
Answer: According to Thomson’s model of the atom, an atom consists of both negatively and positively
charged particles. The negatively charged particles are embedded in the positively charged sphere. These
negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude. Thus, by counterbalancing each other’s effect, they
make an atom neutral.
2) On the basis of Rutherford’s model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the nucleus
of an atom?
Answer: On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, protons (positively-charged particles) are present
in the nucleus of an atom.
3) Draw a sketch of Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells.
Answer:

Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells

4) What do you think would be the observation if the α-particle scattering experiment is carried out
using a foil of a metal other than gold?
Answer: If the α-scattering experiment is carried out using a foil of metal rather than gold, there would be
no change in the observation. In the α-scattering experiment, a gold foil was taken because gold is
malleable and a thin foil of gold can be easily made. It is difficult to make such foils from other metals.
(Pg 49)

1) Name the three subatomic particles of an atom.

Answer: The three subatomic particles of an atom are:
(i) Protons
(ii) Electrons, and
(iii) Neutrons

2)Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4 u and two protons in its nucleus. How many neutrons does
it have?
Answer: Helium atom has two neutrons. The mass of an atom is the sum of the masses of protons and
neutrons present in its nucleus. Since the helium atom has two protons, the mass contributed by the two
protons is (2 × 1) u = 2 u. Then, the remaining mass (4 − 2) u = 2 u is contributed by neutrons.

(Pg 50)

1) Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms?

Answer: The total number of electrons in a carbon atom is 6. The distribution of electrons in a carbon
atom is given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 4 electrons
Or, we can write the distribution of electrons in a carbon atom as 2, 4.
The total number of electrons in a sodium atom is 11. The distribution of electrons in sodium atom is
given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 8 electrons
Third orbit or M-shell = 1 electron
Or, we can write the distribution of electrons in a sodium atom as 2, 8, 1.
2) If K and L shells of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of electrons in the
atom?
Answer: The maximum number of electrons that can occupy K and L-shells of an atom are 2 and 8
respectively. Therefore, if K and L-shells of an atom are full, then the total number of electrons in the
atom would be (2 + 8) = 10 electrons.
(Pg 52)

1) How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?
Answer: If the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom of an element is less than or equal
to 4, then the valency of the element is equal to the number of electrons in the outermost shell. On the
other hand, if the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom of an element is greater than 4,
then the valency of that element is determined by subtracting the number of electrons in the outermost
shell from 8. The distribution of electrons in chlorine, sulphur, and magnesium atoms are 2, 8, 7; 2, 8, 6
and 2, 8, 2 respectively. Therefore, the number of electrons in the outermost shell of chlorine, sulphur, and
magnesium atoms are 7, 6, and 2 respectively.
Thus, the valency of chlorine = 8 −7 = 1
The valency of sulphur = 8 − 6 = 2
The valency of magnesium = 2
(Pg 52)

1) If the number of electrons in an atom is 8 and the number of protons is also 8, then (i) what is the
atomic number of the atom and (ii) what is the charge on the atom?
Answer: (i) The atomic number is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the atomic number of the
atom is 8.
(ii) Since the number of both electrons and protons is equal, therefore, the charge on the atom is 0.
2) With the help of Table 4.1, find out the mass number of oxygen and sulphur atom. Answer:
Mass number of oxygen = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 8 + 8 = 16
Mass number of sulphur = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 16 +16 = 32

(Pg 53)

1)For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three subatomic particles found in each of them.
Symbol Proton Neutron Electron
H 1 0 1

D 1 1 1
T 1 2 1

2) Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.
12
Answer : Two isotopes of carbon are 6 C and 14 6C.
12
The electronic configuration of 6 C is 2,4.

The electronic configuration of 14 6C is 2, 4.

40
Ca and 40 18Ar are pair of isobars.
20

The electronic configuration of 40 20Ca is 2,8,8,2

40
The electronic configuration of 18Ar is 2,8,8

(Pg 54)

1)Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.

Property Electrons Protons Neutrons

Charge Negatively charged Positively charged No charge.

Location Located outside the Located within the Located inside the nucleus of
nucleus nucleus an atom

Mass Mass is negligible 1 a.m.u 1 a.m.u

2)What are the limitations of J.J. Thomson’s model of the atom?

Answer: According to J.J. Thomson’s model of an atom, an atom consists of a positively
charged sphere with electrons embedded in it. However, it was later found that the positively
charged particles reside at the centre of the atom called the nucleus, and the electrons revolve
around the nucleus.
 3) What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?
Answer: According to Rutherford’s model of an atom, electrons revolve around the nucleus in
fixed orbits. But, an electron revolving in circular orbits will not be stable because, during the
revolution, it will experience acceleration. Due to acceleration, the electrons will lose energy in
the form of radiation and fall into the nucleus. In such a case, the atom would be highly unstable
and collapse.

4)Describe Bohr’s model of the atom.

Answer: Bohr’s model of the atom
Niels Bohr proposed the following postulates regarding the model of the atom.
(i) Only certain orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons are allowed inside the atom.
(ii) While revolving in these discrete orbits, the electrons do not radiate energy. These discrete
orbits or shells are shown in the following diagram.

The first orbit (i.e., for n = 1) is represented by the letter K. Similarly, for n = 2, it is L − shell,
for n = 3, it is M − shell and for n = 4, it is N − shell. These orbits or shells are also called energy
levels.
5) Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.
Answer:
Thomson Rutherford Bohr

● Sphere is positively charged ● The nucleus is at the centre ●Nucleus is present at the
●Electrons are negatively charged and is positively charged centre and is positively
and embedded in the positively holding the entire mass. charged
charged sphere. ● Electrons are negatively ● Electrons are negatively
charged revolving in a charged, revolving around but
● Positively charged = negatively
well-defined path do not radiate energy.
charged
●In comparison with the ● The distinct orbits are
● The net charge in the atom is
nucleus, the size of the atom is labelled as K, L, M, N
zero.
very large.
6) Summarize the rules for the writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for the
first eighteen elements.

Answer: The rules for the writing of the distribution of electrons in various shells for the first
eighteen elements are given below.
(i) The maximum number of electrons that a shell can accommodate is given by the
formula ‘2n2’, where ‘n’ is the orbit number or energy level index (n = 1, 2, 3…).
The maximum number of electrons present in an orbit of n = 1 is given by 2n2 = 2×12 = 2
Similarly, for the second orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×22 = 8 For third orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×32 = 18
And so on.
(ii) The outermost orbit can be accommodated by a maximum number of 8electrons.
(iii) Shells are filled with electrons in a stepwise manner i.e., the outer shell is not
occupied with electrons unless the inner shells are completely filled with electrons.

7) Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.

Answer: The valency of an element is the combining capacity of that element. The valency of an
element is determined by the number of valence electrons present in the atom of that element.
If the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is less than or equal to four, then the
valency of that element is equal to the number of valence electrons. For example, the atom of
silicon has four valence electrons. Thus, the valency of silicon is four.
On the other hand, if the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is greater than
four, then the valency of that element is obtained by subtracting the number of valence electrons
from eight. For example, an atom of oxygen has six valence electrons. Thus, the valency of
oxygen is (8 − 6) i.e., two.

8) Explain with examples (i) Atomic number, (ii) Mass number, (iii) Isotopes and (iv)
Isobars. Give any two uses of isotopes.
Answer: (i) Atomic number
The atomic number of an element is the total number of protons present in the atom of that
element. For example, nitrogen has 7 protons in its atom. Thus, the atomic number of nitrogen is
7.
(ii) Mass number
The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in the
atom of that element. For example, the atom of boron has 5 protons and 6 neutrons. So, the mass
number of boron is 5 + 6 = 11.
(iii) Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number, but
different mass numbers. For example, hydrogen has three isotopes. They are protium ,
deuterium, and tritium
(iv) Isobars
Isobars are atoms having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers i.e., isobars are

atoms of different elements having the same mass number. For example, are isobars.
Two uses of isotopes are:
(i)One isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
(ii) One isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.

9) Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.

Answer: An atom of Na has a total of 11 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 1. But,
Na+ ion has one electron less than Na atom i.e., it has 10 electrons. Therefore, 2 electrons go to
K-shell and 8 electrons go to L-shell, thereby completely filling K and L shells.

10) If bromine atom is available in the form of, say, two isotopes 7935 Br(49.7%) and 8135 Br
(50.3%), calculate the average atomic mass of bromine atom.

Answer:It is given that two isotopes of bromine are7935 Br(49.7%) and 8135 (50.3%). Then, the
average atomic mass of bromine atom is given by:

11) The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2 u. What are the
percentages of isotopes in the sample?
Answer:
12) If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element? Also, name the element.
Answer: By Z = 3, we mean that the atomic number of the element is 3. Its electronic
configuration is 2, 1. Hence, the valency of the element is 1 (since the outermost shell has only
one electron).
Therefore, the element with Z = 3 is lithium.

13) Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species X and Y are given as under X Y
Protons = 6 6
Neutrons = 6 8
Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the relation between the two species?

Answer: Mass number of X = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 6 + 6 = 12

Mass number of Y = Number of protons + Number of neutrons = 6 + 8 = 14
These two atomic species X and Y have the same atomic number, but different mass numbers.
Hence, they are isotopes.

14) For the following statements, write T for ‘True’ and F for ‘False’.
(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons.
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is
neutral.
(c) The mass of an electron is about 1/2000 times that of a proton.
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine.

Answer: (a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons. (F)
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is neutral.
(F)
(c) The mass of an electron is about 1/2000 times that of a proton. (T)
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a
medicine. (T)

15) Put tick (correct ) against correct choice and cross (x) against wrong choice in the
following question:
Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery
of
(a) Atomic nucleus
(b) Electron
(c) Proton
(d) Neutron

Answer: Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus (correct )(b) Electron (x) (c) Proton (x) (d) Neutron (x)

16) Put tick ( correct ) against correct choice and cross (x) following question:
Isotopes of an element have
(a) the same physical properties
(b) different chemical properties
(c) different number of neutrons
(d) different atomic numbers

Answer: Isotopes of an element have

(a) the same physical properties (x)
(b) different chemical properties(x)
(c) different number of neutrons (correct)
(d) different atomic numbers(x)
17) Put tick (correct ) against correct choice and cross (x) following question:
Number of valence electrons in Cl− ion are:
(a) 16
(b) 8
(c) 17
(d) 18

Answer: Number of valence electrons in Cl− ion are:

(a) 16(x)
(b) 8 (correct)
(c) 17 (x)
(d) 18 (x)
18) Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?
(a) 2, 8
(b) 8, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 8
(d) 2, 8, 1
Answer: (d) The correct electronic configuration of sodium is 2, 8, 1.
19)Complete the following table.

Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of Name of the

number number neutrons Protons electrons atomic species

9 – 10 – – –

16 32 – – – Sulphur

– 24 – 12 – –

– 2 – 1 – –

– 1 0 1 1 –

Answer:
The following table depicts the missing data:
Atomic number(Z) =Number of protons
Mass number = Number of neutrons + atomic number
(or)
Mass number(A) = Number of neutrons + number of neutrons

Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of Name of the

number number neutrons Protons electrons atomic species
 9 19 10 9 9 Fluorine

16 32 16 16 16 Sulphur

12 24 12 12 12 Magnesium

1 2 1 1 1 Deuterium

1 1 0 1 1 Hydrogen

(TB Pg no:39) CHAPTER 3

1. Write down the formulae of
(i) sodium oxide
(ii) aluminium chloride
(iii) sodium sulphide
(iv) magnesium hydroxide

Ans: Formula
(i) Na2O
(ii)AlCl3
(iii)Na2S
(iv)Mg(OH)2

2. Write down the names of compounds represented by following formulae:

(i)Al 2(SO4)3
(ii)CaCl2
(iii)K2SO4
(iv)KNO3
(v)CaCO3

Ans :(i)Aluminium sulphate

(ii)Calcium chloride
(iii)Potassium sulphate
(iv)Potassium nitrate
(v)Calcium carbonate

3. What is meant by the term chemical formula?

Ans: A chemical formula is the representation of elements present in a compound with the help
of symbols and also the number of atoms of each element with those numbers only. for eg: A
molecule of water (compound) contains 2 atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen hence its
chemical formula is H2O.