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ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Atom is defined as the smallest neutral particle into which an element can be divided without losing the
properties of that element.

Structure of an atom
The atom consists of a dense, positive nucleus, surrounded by a cloud of negative particles. Within the
nucleus are two types of particles
the protons – that are positively charged and
the neutrons that carry no charge (i.e. they are neutral).
Orbiting or moving around the nucleus at high speeds are the negatively charged electrons.
ee
ee
e Electron shell
P
N
Nucleus

P = proton
N = neutron
e e = electron

NB. The overall charge on the nucleus is positive because the protons are positively charged while the
neutrons do not carry a charge.
NB. The overall charge on the atom is neutral because the number of protons (positively charged) is equal to
the number of electrons (negatively charged).

Position and properties of particles present in the atom

Particle Position in the atom Relative Mass Charge

Protons Nucleus 1 +1

Neutrons Nucleus 1 0

Electrons Orbiting nucleus at high speeds 1/1840 or 0 or negligible -1

The Periodic Table

The periodic table is a chart containing the symbols of all the known elements (107) whether naturally
occurring or man-made. The symbol for each element is written in block letter capitals followed by a
common letter, if necessary. The number at the bottom left hand side of the symbol is called the atomic
(proton) number, while the number at the top left hand side is called the mass number or nucleon number.

Mass no. → 23
Na (sodium)
Atomic no. → 11

The atomic (proton) number is the number of protons present in the nucleus of one atom of the element.
The mass (nucleon) number is the sum of the protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of the atom of the
element.

NB. The atomic number is never greater than the mass number since the atomic number is the number of
protons, while the mass is the sum of the protons and neutrons.
NB. Atomic no. = no. of protons
No. of protons = no. of electrons
Mass no. = no. of protons + no. of neutrons
No. of neutrons = mass no. – atomic (proton) no.

The arrangement of the electrons (electronic configuration (E.C) on the shells orbiting the nucleus of
the atom.
1. The first (K) shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.
2. The second (L) shell can hold a maximum of 8 electrons.
3. The third (M) shell can hold a maximum of 8 for the first 20 elements.
4. The outermost shell of any atom can only hold 8 electrons, at any one time.
The equation for determining the maximum number of electrons a shell can hold is 2n2, where ‘n’ is
the shell number.
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SHELL Maximum number of electrons

1 (K) 2 x 12 = 2
2 (L) 2 x 22 = 8
3 (M) 2 x 32 = 18
4 (N) 2 x 42 = 32

Electronic Configuration for first 20 elements

ELEMENTS SYMBOL Electronic Configuration (E.C)
Hydrogen 1
Helium 2
Lithium 2,1
Beryllium 2,2
Boron 2,3
Carbon 2,4
Nitrogen 2,5
Oxygen 2,6
Fluorine 2,7
Neon 2,8
Sodium 2,8,1
Magnesium 2,8,2
Aluminium 2,8,3
Silicon 2,8,4
Phosphorus 2,8,5
Sulphur 2,8,6
Chlorine 2,8,7
Argon 2,8,8
Potassium 2,8,8,1
Calcium 2,8,8,2

STRUCTURE OF ATOMS: FIRST 10 ELEMENTS

11
1 H 4 He 7 Li 9 Be B
5
1 2 3 4
EC = 1 EC = 2 EC = 2, 1 EC = EC =

P P
P P P
N N
N N N

12 14 16 19 20
6C EC = 7 N EC = 8 O EC = 9 F EC = 10 Ne EC =

P
N P P
P P N N
N N
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Symbol Atomic No. Mass no. Protons Neutrons Electrons E.C.

C 6 12
Mg 24 12
Li 3 4
Be 5 4
B 6 2,3
Ar 40 2,8,8

Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons, but a different number of
neutrons, hence, isotopes have different mass numbers.

Isotopes of Hydrogen

Ordinary Hydrogen (protium) Deuterium Tritium

1 2 3
1H 1H 1H

1P e 1P e 1P e
0N
EC = 1 1N
EC = 1 2N
EC =
1

Isotopes of Chlorine
Chlorine: 35 Chlorine: 37
35 Cl 37 Cl
17 17

EC = 2, 8, 7 EC =

17P P
18N N

Isotopes of silicon
28 30
14 Si 14 Si

Ec = Ec =

P
P
N
N
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DALTON’S ATOMIC THEORY

John Dalton, an English school teacher, put forward the first definite theory about atoms.

Dalton’s Theory Revised (modern) version

Matter is made up of tiny indivisible particles called The atom can be split by nuclear reactions.
atoms.
Atoms cannot be created or destroyed. There are now man-made elements.
All the atoms of one element are exactly alike, especially Isotopes of the same element have different
in mass. mass number.
When atoms combine, they do so in small whole numbers Carbon can form compounds e.g. Plastics, with
to form compounds. up to 500 carbon atoms.

THE PERIODIC TABLE

In 1869, D. Mendeleev published his periodic classification of elements in which he arranged all the
elements in order of increasing atomic mass. But there were problems with Mendeleev’s classification
because the atomic masses of some elements did not fit the pattern.

In 1914, H. Moseley contributed to the further development of the periodic table by arranging the
elements according to their atomic (proton) number instead of the atomic masses. In the modern periodic
table, the elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic numbers. The metallic elements are found
on the left hand-side and middle of the periodic table, with the non-metals on the top right hand side.

The periodic table is divided into vertical columns called GROUPS and horizontal ROWS called
PERIODS. The elements in a particular group have the same number of electrons on the outermost shell
and the group number corresponds to the number of electrons on the outermost shell.

For example, Lithium = 3Li Chlorine = 17Cl

EC. = 2, 1 EC. = 2, 8, 7
Group 1 Group 7

Group I elements are called Alkali Metals. For example,

3Li: EC. = 2, 1
11Na: EC. = 2, 8, 1
19K: EC. = 2,8,8,1

Group II elements are called Alkaline Earth Metals. For example,

4Be: EC. = 2, 2
12Mg: EC. = 2, 8, 2
20Ca: EC. = 2,8,8,2

Group VII elements are called the Halogens. For example,

9F : EC. = 2,7
17Cl : EC. = 2,8,7
Bromine, Br
Iodine, I

Group VIII elements are called the Inert (noble) gases. For example,
2He : EC. = 2
10Ne : EC. = 2,8
18Ar : EC. = 2,8,8

NB. The electron shells of the inert gases are completely fully, hence the inert gases are unreactive (stable).
The elements in a particular period have the same number of electron shells and the period number
corresponds to the number of electron shells.
For example,

Eg. 11Na 15P 19K

EC 2, 8, 1 EC 2, 8, 5 EC 2, 8, 8, 1
Group 1 Group 5 Group 1
Period 3 Period 3 Period 4

The elements in the middle of the periodic table are called transition elements. They are metals with high
melting and boiling points and high densities. E.g Iron (Fe), copper (Cu)