Atomic Structure

Early Atomic Theories

Dalton’s Atomic Theory:

▪ Each element is composed of extremely small particles called atoms.

▪ All of the atoms of 1 element are identical to each other but are different from the atoms
of another element.
▪ Atoms of one element cannot be changed into atoms of a different element by chemical
reactions; atoms are neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions.
▪ Compounds are formed when more than one elements combine.

Therefore, based on Daltons’ Theory atoms are considered to be the smallest particles of an
element that retain the chemical identity of the element.

An element is composed of only one kind/ type of atom. A compound contains two or more
elements.

➢ Cathode Rays and Electrons (J.J. Thomson’s experiments)

Scientists began studying electrical discharge through partially evacuated tubes (i.e. tubes with a
partial vacuum) called cathode-ray tubes. When a high voltage was applied to the electrodes in
the tube, radiation was produced. This radiation was called cathode rays and originated from the
negative electrode or cathode. There were conflicting views about the nature of cathode rays. It
was not initially clear whether the rays were an invisible stream of particles or a new form of
radiation.

Experiments showed that these rays were deflected by electric or magnetic fields therefore, the
rays were actually streams of negative electrical charge.

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J.J. Thomson called these negatively-charged particles electrons. He used the cathode-ray tubes
to study the electric and magnetic properties of this stream of electrons.

Thomson proposed that the atom consisted of a uniform positive sphere of matter in which
electrons were embedded:

➢ Rutherford’s experiments

Rutherford studied the angles at which alpha-particles (positively-charged particles) were

scattered/ deflected as they passed through a thin gold foil. Almost all of the particles passed
through the foil without deflection. It was therefore concluded that most of the mass of each gold
atom in the foil and all of its positive charge resided in a very small, extremely dense region
which he called the nucleus. He further postulated that most of the total volume of the atom was
empty space in which electrons moved around the nucleus.

In the α-particle scattering experiment, most of the α-particles passed directly through the gold
foil because they did not encounter the minute nucleus of any of the gold atoms; they merely
passed through the empty space making up the greatest part of all the atoms in the foil.
Occasionally however, an α-particle came close to a gold nucleus and there was repulsion
between the two giving a strong deflection at a large angle.

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Rutherford’s discovery of the nuclear nature of the atom suggested that the atom can be thought
of as a “microscopic solar system” in which electrons orbit the nucleus. He thereby disproved
Thomson’s atomic model.

Rutherford also discovered the proton.

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 ➢ Bohr’s Atomic Theory

Bohr assumed that electrons move in circular orbits around the nucleus. He also adopted the idea
that energies in an atom are quantized, i.e. electrons are found in orbits which exist at specific
energy states/ levels. Energy is emitted or absorbed by the electrons only as the electron changes
from one energy state to another. This energy is the energy emitted as or absorbed by a photon (a
particle of light). In other words energy either is required or released when electrons move from
one state/ level to another.

Ground state – refers to when an electron is in its lowest possible energy state.

Excited state – refers to when an electron is in any other energy state besides its ground state.

➢ Modern Atomic Structure

An atom is more than just empty space and scattered electrons. It is comprised of a small,
dense, positively-charged centre called a nucleus which contains most of its mass. The
nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while electrons can be found orbiting the nucleus.
Protons, neutrons and electrons are called sub-atomic particles.

Sub-atomic particle Charge Mass (amu)

Proton + 1.0073 ≈ 1

Neutron 0 1.0087 ≈ 1

Electron - 5.486 x 10-4 ≈ 0

(amu = atomic mass unit)

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Because they have opposite charges, an electrostatic force of attraction exists between protons in
the nucleus and the orbiting electrons.

Atomic/ Proton number (Z) – number of protons in the nucleus

Mass number (A) – number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

i.e. mass no. (A) = no. of protons + no. of neutrons

An atom is neutral therefore in any atom: no. of protons = no. of electrons

The number of neutrons in an atom can vary: the atoms of a particular element are not identical.

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same atomic/ proton number (Z) but
different mass numbers (A), i.e. the same number of protons and electrons but different
numbers of neutrons.

e.g. The isotopes of carbon are: 11C, 12C, 13C & 14C

(The number at the top (in superscript) represents the mass no. of the isotope/ element.)

Isotopes of an element are present in varying abundances/ amounts in nature.

Calculating the Relative Atomic Mass (Ar) of an element using its isotopes:

Ar = ∑ (mass of each isotope x abundance of each isotope)

e.g. (1) Naturally-occurring chlorine is 75.78 % 35Cl (mass = 34.969) and 24.22 % 37Cl (mass =
36.966). Calculate the atomic mass of chlorine.

Ar = ∑ (mass of each isotope x abundance of each isotope)

= (34.969 x 75.78/ 100) + (36.966 x 24.22/ 100)

= 35.45

N.B.: The total abundance of all the isotopes of an element is always 100 %.

To calculate the abundances if the Ar is given: let one abundance value be x and the other
abundance will be (100-x).

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 e.g. (2) Copper has an atomic mass of 63.55 and consists of two stable isotopes: 63Cu, mass =
62.930 and 65Cu, mass = 64.928. What are the percent abundances of the two isotopes
in natural copper?

Ar = (Mass of isotope 1 x Abundance) + (Mass of isotope 2 x Abundance)

63.55 = 62.930 x x + 64.928 x (100-x)

100 100

6355 = 62.930x + 6492.8 – 64.928x

1.998x = 137.8

x = 69
63 65
Cu = 69 % Cu = 31 %

➢ Quantum mechanics

The Bohr model of the atom used only one quantum number, n to describe the orbits in an atom.

The quantum mechanical model of the atom however, uses 4 quantum numbers: n, l , ml & ms
to describe/ denote an orbital and the location of an electron in that orbital:

1) Principal quantum no. (n) also referred to as the electron shell.

The principal quantum number indicates the:

▪ Energy of the shell

▪ Size of the shell

The larger the value of n, the greater the size of the shell and the shell is further away from the
nucleus. Consequently, the energy of the shell is higher and the electrons are less attracted to the
nucleus.

n usually takes positive integer values e.g. 1,2,3,4......

The value of n also indicates the number of subshells present in the electron shell. e.g. If n = 2,
then we are in the second (2nd ) electron shell and there are 2 subshells present. Each subshell in
turn contains a specific set of orbitals.

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 2) Subsidiary quantum number/ Angular momentum quantum number (l) also
referred to as the subshell.

This indicates the shape of the subshell.

l usually takes positive integer values from 0 to (n-1).

Each specific value of l has its own distinct shape:

0 = s subshell; 1 = p subshell; 2 = d subshell; 3 = f subshell

Atomic Orbital Shape of Orbital Diagram

s Spherical

p Dumbbell-Shaped; has 2 lobes

d Double-Dumbbell (Not required)

Note: All further subshells after f are named alphabetically: 4 = g, 5 = h, etc.

e.g. For n = 3 → l = 0, 1, 2

s, p, d

Therefore, the third (3rd) electron shell has three subshells: 3s, 3p, 3d.

3) Magnetic quantum number (ml) also referred to as the orbital.

This depicts the orientation in space of the orbital. Each value of l will have a distinct set of
values of ml.

ml usually takes integer values from –l to l, including 0.

e.g. If l = 2 → ml = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2

All the orbitals that make up a particular subshell are degenerate (i.e. have the same energy).

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8
 Justification:

The quantum
mechanical model (i.e.
the 4 quantum nos.) is
used to describe the
location of an electron
in an atom because the
electron actually
behaves both like a
particle and a wave.
Therefore, unlike
Bohr’s Theory,
electrons do not move
in fixed paths or orbits
around the nucleus but
instead in regions of
space called orbitals.

4) Spin magnetic quantum number (ms) – only 2 values :– either +½ (spin: up) or -½
(spin: down)

It was postulated that electrons have an intrinsic property called electron spin that causes each
electron to behave as if it were a tiny magnet.

The values of ms refer to the direction/ orientation of spin of the electron (either ‘up’ or ‘down’).

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Diagram of the atom depicting the first (n = 1), second (n = 2) and third (n = 3) electron shells
as well as the subshells (s, p, d) and orbitals (ml) that make up these three shells:

e.g. An electron has the quantum numbers: (2, 1, -1, +½). Where in the atom is the electron
located?

(n, l, ml, ms)

(2, 1, -1, +½)

2nd electron shell ‘p’ subshell an orbital in the ‘p’ subshell

Hence the electron is located in a 2p orbital. Alternatively, you can say that the electron is
located in the -1 orbital of the 2p subshell.

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 ➢ Hybridisation – this involves the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new (hybrid)
orbitals e.g. mixing s and p orbitals can create new orbitals called sp orbitals.

➢ Electronic configuration

This refers to the distribution of electrons among the various orbitals in an atom.

Three sets of rules govern the placement/ distribution of electrons in an atom:

Aufbau principle – electrons will always occupy the lowest energy orbitals first.

The orbitals in any atom can be arranged according to energetics (see energy diagram above).

Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity – electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals singly and
with parallel/ same spin, then they are each paired with an electron of opposite spin; this is done
so as to minimize electron repulsion in the orbital

e.g. then

Pauli’s Exclusion Principle – no 2 electrons in an atom can have the same 4 quantum numbers
(n, l, ml, ms). Therefore an orbital can only hold a maximum of 2 electrons and they must have
opposite spins.

Shell No. (n) Subshell (l) Maximum no. of Electrons in

each subshell
1 s 2 (Total)
2 s 2
p 6 8 (Total)
3 s 2
p 6 18 (Total)
d 10

e.g. H = 1s1 He = 1s2 Li = 1s22s1 Be = 1s22s2 B = 1s22s22p1

order of filling in electrons: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d (fill 4s before 3d; 4s has lower energy than 3d)

e.g. Ca = 1s22s22p63s23p64s2

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e.g. The electronic configuration of some elements:

Electronic configuration of elements 1-20:

Atomic No. Element E. C. Atomic No. Element E. C.

1 H 1s1 11 Na 1s22s22p63s1

2 He 1s2 12 Mg 1s22s22p63s2

3 Li 1s22s1 13 Al 1s22s22p63s23p1

4 Be 1s22s2 14 Si 1s22s22p63s23p2

5 B 1s22s22p1 15 P 1s22s22p63s23p3

6 C 1s22s22p2 16 S 1s22s22p63s23p4

7 N 1s22s22p3 17 Cl 1s22s22p63s23p5

8 O 1s22s22p4 18 Ar 1s22s22p63s23p6

9 F 1s22s22p5 19 K 1s22s22p63s23p64s1

10 Ne 1s22s22p6 20 Ca 1s22s22p63s23p64s2

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 ➢ Condensed electronic configuration

Condensed electronic configuration abbreviates electronic configuration by using the closest/

nearest noble gas configuration before the element. The noble gas chosen has a lower proton
no.

e.g. K = 1s22s22p63s23p64s1 becomes K = [Ar]4s1

since 1s22s22p63s23p6 is the electronic configuration of argon (Ar); i.e. use the closest noble gas
configuration to write the condensed electronic configuration of the element.

e.g. Si = 1s22s22p63s23p2 becomes Si = [Ne]3s23p2

➢ Electronic configuration of ions

e.g. Na - e- → Na+

1s22s22p63s1 → 1s22s22p6 (or 1s22s22p63s0)

e.g. F + e- → F-

1s22s22p5 → 1s22s22p6

Electronic structure of atoms and the energy changes in an atom

Relationship between frequency and wavelength:

c = λν where c = speed of light (3.00 x 108 m s-1)

λ = wavelength (m)

ν = frequency (s-1)

e.g. (3) The yellow light given off by a sodium vapour lamp used for public lighting has a
wavelength of 589 nm. What is the frequency of this radiation?

λ = 589 nm = 5.89 x 10-7 m (1 nm = 10-9 m)

c = λν

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 3.00 x 108 m s-1 = (5.89 x 10-7 m) ν

ν = 3.00 x 108 m s-1 = 5.09 x 1014 s-1

5.89 x 10-7 m

Relationship between energy and frequency:

Recall: Energy in an atom is quantized. (Refer to note on Bohr’s atomic model.)

Energy is absorbed or released in fixed amounts called ‘quanta’.

Energy of a single quantum:

E = hν where E = energy (J)

h = Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10-34 J s)

ν = frequency (s-1)

Energy of a photon (a particle) of light:

E = hν

e.g. (4) Calculate the energy of a photon of yellow light with a wavelength of 589 nm.

c = λν therefore: ν = c/ λ

And: E = hν

Therefore: E = hc
λ

E = (6.63 x 10-34 J s)(3.00 x 108 m s-1) = 3.37 x 10-19 J

5.89 x 10-7 m

e.g. (5) Calculate the energy of 1 mole of photons of yellow light with a wavelength of 589 nm.

Energy of 1 photon = 3.37 x 10-19 J [Refer to example (4) above.]

Energy of 1 mole of photons = (3.37 x 10-19)(6.022 x 1023) = 203 000 J mol-1

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 or 203 kJ mol-1

➢ Energy changes in an atom

When an electron in an atom moves from a lower energy state to a higher energy state, energy
is absorbed.

When an electron in an atom moves from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, energy
is released.

The amount of energy absorbed or released is determined using the Rydberg equation:

ΔE = RH 1 – 1 where RH = Rydberg constant (2.179 x 10-18 J)

ni2 nf2 ni = initial energy state
nf = final energy state

e.g. (6) Calculate the energy, frequency and wavelength if an electron moves from n = 1 to n = 3:

ΔE = RH 1 – 1
ni2 nf2

ΔE = 2.179 x 10-18 J 1 – 1
(1)2 (3)2

= 1.94 x 10-18 J

E = hν

1.94 x 10-18 J = (6.63 x 10-34 J s) ν

ν = 1.94 x 10-18 J = 2.93 x 1015 s-1

6.63 x 10-34 J s

c = λν Alternatively: use E = hc/ λ

3.00 x 108 m s-1 = λ (2.93 x 1015 s-1)

λ = 3.00 x 108 m s-1 = 1.02 x 10-7 m

2.93 x 1015 s-1

Note:

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If ΔE is positive (+), energy is being absorbed as the electron goes from a lower energy state to
a higher energy state. [Refer to example (6).]

If ΔE is negative (-), energy is being released since the electron is going from a higher energy
state to a lower energy state.

If ΔE is negative (-), use the positive (+) value to calculate ν and λ since they are positive values.

The wave behaviour of matter

➢ de Broglie’s Wave equation

Bohr postulated that electrons existed only in certain discrete (fixed) energy levels described by
the principal quantum no. (n). de Broglie suggested that as the electron moves about the nucleus,
it is associated with a particular wavelength, which depends on the electron’s mass and velocity.
In other words, he proposed that the electron can behave as a wave as well as a particle.

de Broglie’s wave equation:

λ= h where λ = de Broglie wavelength (m)

mυ h = Planck’s constant (6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-1)
m = mass (kg)
υ = velocity (m s-1)

N.B.: The units of Planck’s constant have been converted:

1 J = 1 kg m2 s-2

Therefore: 6.63 x 10-34 J s = (6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-2) s = 6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-1

e.g. (7) What is the wavelength of an electron moving with a speed of 5.97 x 106 m s-1. The mass
of an electron is 9.11 x 10-31 kg.

λ= h
mυ

λ= 6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-1 = 1.22 x 10-10 m

-31 6 -1
(9.11 x 10 kg)(5.97 x 10 m s )

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 ➢ Heisenberg uncertainty principle (this was a major criticism of the Bohr Model)

Because of the proposed wave-like property of the electron, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle
was developed.

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to know both the position
and velocity of an electron at the same time. That is, if one knows the position, one cannot
know the velocity and likewise if one knows the velocity, one cannot know the position.

This concept may be extended to the momentum of the electron since momentum is a direct
function of velocity: therefore, one cannot know the position and momentum of an electron at the
same time.

The exact location of an electron in an atom’s space is unknown. Rather there is a probability of
them existing in a given space at any point in time, not a certainty.

To calculate the uncertainty in the position of an electron:

∆x ≥ h or: ∆x ≥ h
4∏m∆υ 4∏∆p

Where: x = distance (m) where p = momentum = mυ

h = Planck’s constant (kg m2 s-1) (this equation is less frequently

m = mass (kg) used)

υ = velocity (m s-1)

(∆ means ‘uncertainty’ in these two equations e.g. ∆x means uncertainty in distance)

e.g. (8) Find the position of uncertainty of an electron moving at a speed of 5 x 106 m s-1 if the
uncertainty in its speed is known to 1 %. The mass of an electron is 9.11 x 10-31 kg.

uncertainty in the speed = 1/ 100 (5 x 106 m s-1) = 5 x 104 m s-1

∆x ≥ h Note:
4∏m∆υ
Speed can also be
-34 2 -1
= 6.63 x 10 kg m s expressed as, for e.g.:
4∏(9.11 x 10-31 kg)(5 x 104 m s-1)
(5 ± 0.01) x 106 m s-1

= 1 x 10-9 m The uncertainty in the

speed will then be:
0.01 x 106 m s-1
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e.g. (9) The speed of an electron is found to be (8 ± 0.05) x 107 m s-1. Calculate its position of
uncertainty.

uncertainty in the speed = 0.05 x 107 m s-1 Note:

∆x ≥ h ∏ = pi
4∏m∆υ
(the mathematical
-34 2 -1
= 6.63 x 10 kg m s constant)
4∏(9.11 x 10-31 kg)(0.05 x 107 m s-1)

= 1.2 x 10-10 m

➢ Effective nuclear charge

Recall: There are electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively-charged nucleus and
the negatively-charged electrons in an atom.

But there is also repulsion taking place between the electrons of the atom.

Effective nuclear charge (Zeff) is the net nuclear charge/ net attraction experienced by an
electron to the nucleus taking all electronic repulsions into account.

Outer electrons are screened/ shielded by inner electrons, therefore they experience less
effective nuclear charge.

Inner shell electrons are called core electrons and are located closer to the nucleus.

Outer shell electrons are called valence electrons and are located in the last/ outermost electron
shell.

Effective nuclear charge increases across a Period from (left to right) because Z (no. of protons)
increases.

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Trends in the Periodic Table:

➢ Atomic radius

Down a Group, atomic radius increases due to an increase in the number of electron shells.

Across a Period, atomic radius decreases due to an increase in Zeff (outer electrons are pulled
closer to the nucleus thereby reducing the size of the atom).

➢ Ionic radius

Down a Group, ionic radius increases due to an increase in the number of electron shells.

Across a Period, compare the ionic radii for the same type of ion:

e.g. Na+, Mg2+, Al3+ - as charge increases ionic radius decreases (because Zeff increases)

S2-, Cl- - as charge increases ionic radius increases slightly (because Zeff decreases)

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 reduction in atomic size

➢ Ionization energy (I.E.)

1st I.E. – the energy required to remove 1 electron from an atom in its gaseous state

e.g. Mg (g) Mg+ (g) + e-

2nd I.E. – the energy required to remove 1 electron from an ion in its gaseous state

e.g. Mg+ (g) Mg2+ (g) + e- <-- Requires more energy

Successive I.E. values increase for a given element because it becomes increasingly difficult to
remove electrons from ions, therefore removing more electrons requires more energy.

That is: 1st I.E. < 2nd I.E. < 3rd I.E.

Down a Group, I.E. decreases due to an increase in atomic radius and decrease in Zeff (since
outer electrons are further away from the nucleus and effective nuclear charge is lower, electrons
are easier/ require less energy to remove).

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e- in last, are the e- that come out first

General Trend in I.E. – Increase across Period (as seen in Graph above)

Across a Period, I.E. generally increases due to a decrease in atomic radius and increase in
Zeff (since outer electrons are closer to the nucleus and effective nuclear charge is higher,
electrons are harder/ require more energy to remove).

➢ Electron affinity gaining e-

In the same way that atoms can lose electrons to form cations, they can also gain electrons to
form anions. The energy change that occurs when an atom gains an electron is called electron
affinity. Electron affinity represents the attraction or affinity of an atom for additional electrons.

e.g. Cl(g) + e- Cl-(g)

Halogens (Group VII) have the highest electron affinities of all the elements in the Periodic
Table followed by those elements in Group VI e.g. O, S
this is why halogens exist in diatomic molecules

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e.g. Which element has the higher ionization energy: Mg or Be?
Be has a higher ionisation energy than Mg.

Consider the periodic table:

Be has the higher ionization energy. Going down a Group, I.E. decreases. Be has a smaller
atomic radius than Mg therefore Zeff is higher and it requires more energy to remove a valence
electron.

e.g. Which element has the higher ionization energy: Cl or Al?

Cl has the higher ionization energy. Going across a Period, I.E. increases. Cl has a smaller
atomic radius than Al therefore Zeff is higher and it requires more energy to remove a valence
electron.
* MCQ exam

Summary: Zeff and Atomic radii are inversely related (i.e. as one increases the other decreases)

Both Zeff and Atomic radii can be used to explain the general trend in Ionization
Energies down a Group and across a Period.

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Past Paper Questions:

July/ August 2016

(a) The wavelength of light required to dissociate a chlorine molecule is 493 nm. Calculate the
energy needed to dissociate 2 moles of chlorine molecules into chlorine atoms. (6 marks)

E = hc = (6.63 x 10-34 J s)(3.00 x 108 m s-1) = 4.03 x 10-19 J

λ (4.93 x 10-7 m)

E for 2 mol of Cl2 = 4.03 x 10-19 J x 6.022 x 1023 x 2 = 485 373 J or 485.4 kJ

(b) Calculate the energy required to excite an electron from the n = 2 to the n = 4 level in atomic
hydrogen. What is the maximum wavelength of light that causes this excitation? (4 marks)

ΔE = RH 1 – 1
ni2 nf2

ΔE = 2.179 x 10-18 J 1 – 1
(2)2 (4)2

= 4.1 x 10-19 J

λ = hc = (6.63 x 10-34 J s)(3.00 x 108 m s-1) = 4.85 x 10-7 m

E (4.1 x 10-19 J)

(c) The mass of a neutron is 1.67 x 10-27 kg. What is the wavelength of a neutron moving at a
speed of 4.21 x 103 m s-1? (6 marks)

h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s = 6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-1

λ= h
mυ

λ= 6.63 x 10-34 kg m2 s-1 = 9.43 x 10-11 m

(1.67 x 10-27 kg)(4.21 x 103 m s-1)

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(d) Which of the following sets of four quantum numbers (n, l, m, s) are not allowed for an
electron in an atom? Explain your answer.

(4, 2, 2, +½) (4, 1, 0, -½) (4, 2, 3, +½) (4 marks)

(4, 2, 3, + ½) – Not allowed

If n = 4 and l = 2: m = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 therefore m cannot be 3.

December 2015

(a) The energy needed to dissociate a chlorine molecule into chlorine atoms is 243 kJ mol-1.
What is the wavelength of light that will initiate this reaction? (6 marks)

E = 243 kJ mol-1 = 243 000 J mol-1

E per molecule = 243 000 J ÷ 6.022 x 1023 = 4.04 x 10-19 J

λ = hc = (6.63 x 10-34 J s)(3.00 x 108 m s-1) = 4.92 x 10-7 m

E (4.04 x 10-19 J)

(b) One electron has the set of quantum numbers n = 3, l = 1, ml = -1 and ms = +½ ; another
electron has the set n = 3, l = 1, ml = 1 and ms = +½.

(i) Could the electrons be in the same atom? Explain. (2 marks)

(ii) Could they be in the same orbital? Explain. (2 marks)

(i) Pauli’s exclusion principle holds because the two electrons do not have the same set of 4
quantum numbers. Therefore, both electrons can be in the same atom.

(ii) The electrons are in the ‘p’ subshell of the 3rd electron shell. Therefore, they are each located
in a 3p orbital of the atom. However, the ml values for each electron are different (ml = -1
and ml = 1) so they are located in two different 3p orbitals.

Alternative answer: Both electrons have ms values of +½, so according to Pauli’s exclusion
principle they cannot be in the same orbital if they have the same/
parallel spins. They must have opposite spins.

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