Structure of Atom Class 11 Notes Chemistry

Chapter-2
 Discovery of Electron—Discharge Tube Experiment
In 1879, William Crooks studied the conduction of electricity through gases at low pressure.
He performed the experiment in a discharge tube which is a cylindrical hard glass tube about
60 cm in length. It is sealed at both the ends and fitted with two metal electrodes as shown in
Fig. 2.1.

The electrical discharge through the gases could be observed only at very low pressures
and at very high voltages.
The pressure of different gases could be adjusted by evacuation. When sufficiently high
voltage is applied across the electrodes, current starts flowing through a stream of particles
moving in the tube from the negative electrode (cathode) to the positive electrode (anode).
These were called cathode rays or cathode ray particles.
• Properties of Cathode Rays
(i) Cathode rays travel in straight line.
(ii) Cathode rays start from cathode and move towards the anode.
(iii) These rays themselves are not visible but their behaviour can be observed with the help
of certain kind of materials (fluorescent or phosphorescent) which glow when hit by them.
(iv)Cathode rays consist of negatively charged particles. When electric field is applied on the
cathode rays with the help of a pair of metal plates, these are found to be deflected towards
the positive plate indicating the presence of negative charge.
(v) The characteristics of cathode rays do not depend upon the material of electrodes and
the nature of gas present in the cathode ray tube.
• Determination of Charge/Mass (e/m) Ratio for Electrons

J. J. Thomson for the first time experimentally determined charge/mass ratio called elm ratio
for the electrons. For this, he subjected the beam of electrons released in the discharge tube
as cathode rays to influence the electric and magnetic fields. These were acting
perpendicular to one another as well as to the path followed by electrons.
According to Thomson, the amount of deviation of the particles from their path in presence of
electrical and magnetic field depends upon following factors:
(i) Greater the magnitude of the charge on the particle, greater is the interaction with the
electric or magnetic field and thus greater is the deflection.
(ii) The mass of the particle — lighter the particle, greater the deflection.
(iii) The deflection of electrons from their original path increases with the increase in the
voltage across the electrodes or strength of the magnetic field.
By carrying out accurate measurements on the amount of deflections observed by the
electrons on the electric field strength or magnetic field strength, Thomson was able to
determine the value of
e/me = 1.758820 x 1011 C kg-1 where me = Mass of the electron in kg
e = magnitude of charge on the electron in coulomb (C).

• Charge on the Electron

R.A. Millikan devised a method known as oil drop experiment to determine the charge on the
electrons.

• Discovery of Proton—Anode Rays

In 1886, Goldstein modified the discharge tube by using a perforated cathode. On reducing
the pressure, he observed a new type of luminous rays passing through the holes or
perforations of the cathode and moving in a direction opposite to the cathode rays. These
rays were named as positive rays or anode rays or as canal rays. Anode rays are not
emitted from the anode but from a space between anode and cathode.
• Properties of Anode Rays
(i) The value of positive charge (e) on the particles constituting anode rays depends upon
the nature of the gas in the discharge tube.
(ii) The charge to mass ratio of the particles is found to depend on the gas from which these
originate.
(iii) Some of the positively charged particles carry a multiple of the fundamental unit of
electrical charge.
(iv)The behaviour of these particles in the magnetic or electric field is opposite to that
observed for electron or cathode rays.
• Proton
The smallest and lightest positive ion was obtained from hydrogen and was called proton.
Mass of proton = 1.676 x 10-27 kg
Charge on a proton = (+) 1.602 x 10-19 C
• Neutron
It is a neutral particle. It was discovered by Chadwick (1932).
By the bombardment of thin sheets of beryllium with fast moving a-particles he observed that
highly penetrating rays consist of neutral particles which were named neutrons.
• Thomson Model of Atom

(i) J. J. Thomson proposed that an atom may be regarded as a sphere of

approximate radius 1CT8 cm carrying positive charge due to protons and in
which negatively charged electrons are embedded.
(ii) In this model, the atom is visualized as a pudding or cake of positive charge
with electrons embedded into it.
(iii) The mass of atom is considered to be evenly spread over the atom according
to this model.
Drawback of Thomson Model of Atom
This model was able to explain the overall neutrality of the atom, it could not
satisfactorily, explain the results of scattering experiments carried out by
Rutherford in 1911.

• Rutherford’s a-particle Scattering Experiment

Rutherford in 1911, performed some scattering experiments in which he bombarded thin
foils of metals like gold, silver, platinum or copper with a beam of fast moving a-particles.
The thin gold foil had a circular fluorescent zinc sulphide screen around it. Whenever a-
particles struck the screen, a tiny flash of light was produced at that point.
From these experiments, he made the following observations:
(i) Most of the a-particles passed through the foil without undergoing any deflection,
(ii) A few a-particles underwent deflection through small angles.
(iii) Very few mere deflected back i.e., through an angle of nearly 180°.
From these observations, Rutherford drew the following conclusions:
(i) Since most of the a-particles passed through the foil without undergoing any
deflection, there must be sufficient empty space within the atom.
(ii) A small fraction of a-particles was deflected by small angles. The positive
charge has to be concentrated in a very small volume that repelled and deflected
a few positively charged a-particles. This very small portion of the atom was
called nucleus.
(iii) The volume of nucleus is very small as compared to total volume of atom.
• Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of an Atom
(i) The positive charge and most of the mass of the atom was densely
concentrated in an extremely small region. This very small portion of the atom
was called nucleus by Rutherford.
(ii) The nucleus is surrounded by electrons that move around the nucleus with a
very high speed in circular paths called orbits.
(iii) Electrons and nucleus are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction.
• Atomic Number
The number of protons present in the nucleus is equal to the atomic number (z).
For example, the number of protons in the hydrogen nucleus is 1, in sodium atom
it is 11, therefore, their atomic numbers are 1 and 11. In order to keep the
electrical neutrality, the number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of
protons (atomic number, z). For example, number of electrons in hydrogen atom
and sodium atom are 1 and 11 respectively.
Atomic Number (z) = Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
= Number of electrons in a neutral atom.
• Mass Number
Number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus are collectively known as
nucleons. The total number of nucleons is termed as mass number (A) of the
atom.
Mass Number (A) = Number of protons (p) + Number of neutrons (n).
• Isotopes
 Atoms with identical atomic number but different atomic mass number are known
as Isotopes.
Isotopes of Hydrogen:

These three isotopes are shown in the figure below:

Characteristics of Isotopes
(i) Since the isotopes of an element have the same atomic number, but different mass
number, the nuclei of isotopes contain the same number of protons, but different number
of neutrons.
(ii) Since, the isotopes differ in their atomic masses, all the properties of the isotopes
depending upon the mass are different.
(iii) Since, the chemical properties are mainly determined by the number of protons in the
nucleus, and the number of electrons in the atom, the different isotopes of an element
exhibit similar chemical properties. For example, all the isotopes of carbon on burning
give carbon dioxide.
• Isobars

• Drawbacks of Rutherford Model

(i) When a body is moving in an orbit, it achieves acceleration. Thus, an electron moving
around nucleus in an orbit is under acceleration.
According to Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory, charged particles when accelerated must
emit electromagnetic radiations. Therefore, an electron in an orbit will emit radiations, the
energy carried by radiation comes from electronic motion. Its path will become closer to
nucleus and ultimately should spiral into nucleus within . 10-8 s. But actually this does
not happen.
Thus, Rutherford’s model cannot explain the stability of atom if the motion of electrons is
described on the basis of classical mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
(ii) Rutherford’s model does not give any idea about distribution of electrons around the
nucleus and about their energies.
• Developments Leading to the Bohr’s Model of Atom
Two developments played a major role in the formulation of Bohr’s model of atom. These
were:
(i) Dual character of the electromagnetic radiation which means that radiations possess
both wave like and particle like properties.
(ii) Experimental results regarding atomic spectra which can be explained only by
assuming quantized electronic energy levels in atoms.
• Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation (Electromagnetic Wave Theory)
This theory was put forward by James Clark Maxwell in 1864. The main points of this
theory are as follows:
(i) The energy is emitted from any source (like the heated rod or the filament of a bulb
through which electric current is passed) continuously in the form of radiations and is
called the radiant energy.
(ii) The radiations consist of electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each
other and both perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radiation.
(iii) The radiations possess wave character and travel with the velocity of light 3 x
108 m/sec.
(iv) These waves do not require any material medium for propagation. For example, rays
from the sun reach us through space which is a non-material medium.
• Characteristics of a Wave
Wavelength: It is defined as the distance between any two consecutive crests or troughs.
It is represented by X and its S.I. unit is metre.
Frequency: Frequency of a wave is defined as the number of waves passing through a point
in one second. It is represented by v (nu) and is expressed in Hertz (Hz).
1 Hz = 1 cycle/sec.
Velocity: Velocity of a wave is defined as the linear distance travelled by the wave in one
second.
It is represented by c and is expressed in cm/sec or m/sec.
Amplitude: Amplitude of a wave is the height of the crest or the depth of the through. It is
represented by V and is expressed in the units of length.
Wave Number: It is defined as the number of waves present in 1 metre length. Evidently it
will be equal to the reciprocal of the wavelength. It is represented by bar v (read as nu bar).

Electromagnetic Spectrum: When electromagnetic radiations are arranged in order of their

increasing wavelengths or decreasing frequencies, the complete spectrum obtained is called
electromagnetic spectrum.

• Limitations of Electromagnetic Wave Theory

Electromagnetic wave theory was successful in explaining properties of light such as
interference, diffraction etc; but it could not explain the following:
(i) The phenomenon of black body radiation.
(ii) The photoelectric effect.
(iii) The variation of heat capacity of solids as a function of temperature.
(iv) The line spectra of atoms with reference to hydrogen.
• Black Body Radiation
The ideal body, which emits and absorbs all frequencies is called a black body and the
radiation emitted by such a body is called black body radiation. The. exact frequency
distribution of the emitted radiation from a black body depends only on its temperature.

At a given temperature, intensity of radiation emitted increases with decrease of wavelength,

reaches a maximum value at a given wavelength and then starts decreasing with further
decrease of wavelength as shown in Fig 2.6.

• Planck’s Quantum Theory

To explain the phenomenon of ‘Black body radiation’ and photoelectric effect, Max Planck in
1900, put forward a theory known as Planck’s Quantum Theory.
This theory was further extended by Einstein in 1905. The main points of this theory was as
follows:
(i) The radiant energy emitted or absorbed in the form of small packets of energy. Each such
packets of energy is called a quantum.
(ii) The energy of each quantum is directly proportional to the frequency of the radiation

where h is a proportionality constant, called Planck’s constant. Its value is equal to 6.626 x
10-34 Jsec.
• Photoelectric Effect
Hertz, in 1887, discovered that when a beam of light of certain frequency strikes the surface
of some metals, electrons are emitted or ejected from the metal surface. The phenomenon is
called photoelectric effect.

Observations in Photoelectric Effect

(i) Only photons of light of certain minimum frequency called threshold frequency (v0) can
cause the photoelectric effect. The value of v0 is different for different metals.
(ii) The kinetic energy of the electrons which are emitted is directly proportional to the
frequency of the striking photons and is quite independent of their intensity.
(iii) The number of electrons that are ejected per second from the metal surface depends
upon the intensity of the striking photons or radiations and not upon their frequency.
Explanation of Photoelectric Effect
Einstein in (1905) was able to give an explanation of the different points of the photoelectric
effect using Planck’s quantum theory as under:
(i) Photoelectrons are ejected only when the incident light has a certain minimum frequency
(threshold frequency v0)
(ii) If the frequency of the incident light (v) is more than the threshold frequency (v0), the
excess energy (hv – hv0) is imparted to the electron as kinetic energy.
K.E. of the ejected electron energy of the emitted electron.

(iii) On increasing the intensity of light, more electrons are ejected but the energies of the
electrons are not altered.
• Dual Behaviour of Electromagnetic Radiation
From the study of behaviour of light, scientists came to the conclusion that light and other
electromagnetic radiations have dual nature. These are wave nature as well as particle
nature. Whenever radiation interacts with matter, it displays particle like properties in
contrast to the wavelike properties (interference and diffraction) which it exhibits when it
propagates. Some microscopic particles, like electrons, also exhibit this wave-particle
duality.
• Spectrum
When a ray of white light is passed through a prism the wave with shorter wavelength bends
more than the one with a longer wavelength. Since ordinary white light consists of waves
with all the wavelengths in the visible range, array of white light is spread out into a series of
coloured bands called spectrum. The light of red colour which has longest wavelength is
deviated the least while the violet light, which has shortest wavelength is deviated the most.
Continuous Spectrum
When a ray of white light is analysed by passing through a prism it is observed that it splits
up into seven different wide bands of colours from violet to red (like rainbow). These colours
are so continuous that each of them merges into the next. Hence, the spectrum is called
continuous spectrum.
Emission Spectra
Emission Spectra is noticed when the radiations emitted from a source are passed through a
prism and then received on the photographic plate. Radiations can be emitted in a number of
ways such as:
(i) from sun or glowing electric bulb.
(ii) by passing electric discharge through a gas at low pressure.
(iii) by heating a substance to high temperature.
Line Spectra
When the vapours of some volatile substance are allowed to fall on the flame of a Bunsen
burner and then analysed with the help of a spectroscope. Some specific coloured lines
appear on the photographic plate which are different for different substances. For example,
sodium or its salts emit yellow light while potassium or its salts give out violet light.
Absorption Spectra
When white light is passed through the vapours of a substance and the transmitted light is
then allowed to strike a prism, dark lines appear in the otherwise continuous spectrum. The
dark lines indicate that the radiations corresponding to them were absorbed by the
substance from the white light. This spectrum is called absorption spectrum.
Dark lines appear exactly at the same positions where the lines in the emission spectra
appear.
• Line Spectrum of Hydrogen
When electric discharge is passed through hydrogen gas enclosed in discharge tube under
low pressure and the emitted light is analysed by a spectroscope, the spectrum consists of a
large number of lines which are grouped into different series. The complete spectrum is
known as hydrogen spectrum.
On the basis of experimental observations, Johannes Rydberg noted that all series of lines
in the hydrogen spectrum could be described by the following expression:

Rydberg in 1890, and has given a simple theoretical equation for the calculation of
wavelengths and wave numbers of the spectral lines in different series of hydrogen
spectrum. The equation is known as Rydberg formula (or equation).

This relation is valid for hydrogen atom only. For other species,

where Z is the atomic number of the species.

Here RH = constant, called Rydberg constant for hydrogen and n1 , n2 are integers (n2 >
n1)
For any particular series, the value of n1 is constant while that of n2 changes. For example,
For Lyman series, n1= 1, n2= 2, 3, 4, 5………..
For Balmer series, n1 = 2, n2 = 3, 4, 5, 6………..
For Paschen series, n1= 3, n2 = 4, 5, 6, 7………..
For Brackett series, n1 = 4, n2 = 5, 6, 7, 8………..
For Pfund series, n1 =5, n2 = 6, 7, 8, 9………..
Thus, by substituting the values of n1 and n2 in the above equation, wavelengths and wave
number of different spectral lines can be calculated. When n1 = 2, the expression given
above is called Balmer’s formula.

• Bohr’s Model of Atom

Niels Bohr in 1913, proposed a new model of atom on the basis of Planck’s Quantum
Theory. The main points of this model are as follows:
(i) In an atom, the electrons revolve around the nucleus in certain definite circular paths
called orbits.
(ii) Each orbit is associated with definite energy and therefore these are known as energy
levels or energy shells. These are numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4……….. or K, L, M, N………..
(iii) Only those energy orbits are permitted for the electron in which angular momentum of
the electron is a whole number multiple of h/2π
Angular momentum of electron (mvr) = nh/2π (n = 1, 2, 3, 4 etc).
m = mass of the electron.
v = tangential velocity of the revolving electron.
r = radius of the orbit.
h = Planck’s constant.
n is an integer.
(iv) As long as electron is present in a particular orbit, it neither absorbs nor loses energy
and its energy, therefore, remains constant.
(v) When energy is supplied to an electron, it absorbs energy only in fixed amounts as
quanta and jumps to higher energy state away from the nucleus known as excited state. The
excited state is unstable, the electron may jump back to the lower energy state and in doing
so, it emits the same amount of energy. (∆E = E2 – E1).
• Achievements of Bohr’s Theory
1. Bohr’s theory has explained the stability of an atom.
2. Bohr’s theory has helped in calculating the energy of electron in hydrogen atom and one
electron species. The mathematical expression for the energy in the nth orbit is,

• Limitations of Bohr’s Model

(i) The theory could not explain the atomic spectra of the atoms containing more than one
electron or multielectron atoms.
(ii) Bohr7s theory failed to explain the fine structure of the spectral lines.
(iii) Bohr’s theory could not offer any satisfactory explanation of Zeeman effect and Stark
effect.
(iv) Bohr’s theory failed to explain the ability of atoms to form molecule formed by chemical
bonds.
(v) It was not in accordance with the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
• Dual Behaviour of Matter (de Broglie Equation)
de Broglie in 1924, proposed that matter, like radiation, should also exhibit dual behaviour
i.e., both particle like and wave like properties. This means that like photons, electrons also
have momentum as well as wavelength.
From this analogy, de Broglie gave the following relation between wavelength (λ) and
momentum (p) of a material particle.

• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle

It states that, “It is impossible to determine simultaneously, the exact position and exact
momentum (or velocity) of an electron”.

• Significance of Uncertainty Principle

(i) It rules out existence of definite paths or trajectories of electrons and other similar
particles.
(ii) The effect of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is significant only for microscopic objects
and is negligible for macroscopic objects.
• Reasons for the Failure of Bohr Model
(i) The wave character of the electron is not considered in Bohr Model.
(ii) According to Bohr Model an orbit is a clearly defined path and this path can completely
be defined only if both the position and the velocity of the electron are known exactly at the
same time. This is not possible according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
• Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom
Quantum mechanics: Quantum mechanics is a theoretical science that deals with the study
of the motions of the microscopic objects that have both observable wave like and particle
like properties.
Important Features of Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom
(i) The energy of electrons in atom is quantized i.e., can only have certain values.
(ii) The existence of quantized electronic energy level is a direct result of the wave like
properties of electrons.
(iii) Both the exact position and exact velocity of an electron in an atom cannot be
determined simultaneously.
(iv) An atomic orbital has wave function φ. There are many orbitals in an atom. Electron
occupy an atomic orbital which has definite energy. An orbital cannot have more than two
electrons. The orbitals are filled in increasing order of energy. All the information about the
electron in an atom is stored in orbital wave function φ.
(v) The probability of finding electron at a point within an atom is proportional to square of
orbital wave function i.e., |φ2|at that point. It is known as probability density and is always
positive.
From the value of φ2 at different points within atom, it is possible to predict the region around
the nucleus where electron most probably will be found.
• Quantum Numbers
Atomic orbitals can be specified by giving their corresponding energies and angular
momentums which are quantized (i.e., they have specific values). The quantized values can
be expressed in terms of quantum number. These are used to get complete information
about electron i.e., its location, energy, spin etc.
Principal Quantum Number (n)
It is the most important quantum number since it tells the principal energy level or shell to
which the electron belongs. It is denoted by the letter V and can have any integral value
except zero, i.e., n = 1, 2, 3, 4……….. etc.
The various principal energy shells are also designated by the letters, K, L, M, N, O, P …..
etc. Starting from the nucleus.
The principal quantum number gives us the following information:
(i) It gives the average distance of the electron from the nucleus.
(ii) It completely determines the energy of the electron in hydrogen atom and hydrogen like
particles.
(iii) The maximum number of electrons present in any principal shell is given by 2n2 where n
is the number of the principal shell.
Azimuthal or Subsidiary or Orbital Angular Quantum Number (l)
It is found that the spectra of the elements contain not only the main lines but there are many
fine lines also present. This number helps to explain the fine lines of the spectrum.
The azimuthal quantum number gives the following information:
(i) The number of subshells present in the main shell.
(ii) The angular momentum of the electron present in any subshell.
(in) The relative energies of various subshells.
(iv) The shapes of the various subshells present within the same principal shell.
This quantum number is denoted by the letter T. For a given value of n, it can have any
value ranging from 0 to n – 1. For example,
For the 1st shell (k), n = 1, l can have only one value i.e., l = 0 For n = 2, the possible value
of l can be 0 and 1.
Subshells corresponding to different values of l are represented by the following symbols:
value of l 0 1 2 3 4 5 ……………..
Notation for subshell s p d f g h ………………..
Magnetic Orbital Quantum Number (m or m1)
The magnetic orbital quantum number determines the number of preferred orientations of
the electrons present in a subshell. Since each orientation corresponds to an orbital,
therefore, the magnetic orbital quantum number determines the number of orbitals present in
any subshell.
The magnetic quantum number is denoted by letter m or ml and for a given value of l, it can
have all the values ranging from – l to + l including zero.
Thus, for energy value of l, m has 2l + 1 values.
For example,
For l = 0 (s-subshell), ml can have only one value i.e., m1 = 0.
This means that s-subshell has only one orientation in space. In other words, s-subshell has
only one orbital called s-orbital.
Spin Quantum Number (S or ms)
This quantum number helps to explain the magnetic properties of the substances. A spinning
electron behaves like a micromagnet with a definite magnetic moment. If an orbital contains
two electrons, the two magnetic moments oppose and cancel each other.
• Shapes of s-orbitals
s-orbital is present in the s-subshell. For this subshell, l = 0 and ml = 0. Thus, s-orbital with
only one orientation has a spherical shape with uniform electron density along all the three
axes.
The probability of Is electron is found to be maximum near the nucleus and decreases with
the increase in the distance from the nucleus. In 2s electron, the probability is also maximum
near the nucleus and decreases to zero probability. The spherical empty shell for 2s electron
is called nodal surface or simply node.

• Shapes of p-orbitals
p-orbitals are present in the p-subshell for which l = 1 and m1 can have three possible
orientations – 1, 0, + 1.
Thus, there are three orbitals in the p-subshell which are designated as px, py and pz orbitals
depending upon the axis along which they are directed. The general shape of a p-orbital is
dumb-bell consisting of two portions known as lobes. Moreover, there is a plane passing
through the nucleus along which finding of the electron density is almost nil. This is known
as nodal plane as shown in the fig.
From the dumb-bell pictures, it is quite obvious that unlike s-orbital, a p-orbital is directional
in nature and hence it influences the shapes of the molecules in the formation of which it
participates.
• Shapes of d-orbitals
d-orbitals are present in d-subshell for which l = 2 and m[ = -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2. This means
that there are five orientations leading to five different orbitals.

• Aufbau Principle
The principle states: In the ground state of the atoms, the orbitals are filled in order of their
increasing energies.
In other words, electrons first occupy the lowest energy orbital available to them and enter
into higher energy orbitals only after the lower energy orbitals are filled.
The order in which the energies of the orbitals increase and hence the order in which the
orbitals are filled is as follows:
Is, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, id, 5p, 6s, if, 3d, 6p, 7s, 5f 6d, 7p
The order may be remembered by using the method given in fig. 2.11.
• Pauli Exclusion Principle
According to this principle, no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four
quantum numbers.
Pauli exclusion principle can also be stated as: Only two electrons may exist in the same
orbital and these electrons must have opposite spins.
• Hund’s Rule of Maximum Multiplicity
It states that: pairing of electrons in the orbitals belonging to the same subshell (p, d or f)
does not take place until each orbital belonging to that subshell has got one electron each
i.e., it is singly occupied.
• Electronic Configuration of Atoms
The distribution of electrons into orbitals of an atom is called its electronic configuration. The
electronic configuration of different atoms can be represented in two ways.
For example:

• Causes of Stability of Completely Filled and Half Filled Subshells

The completely filled and half filled subshells are stable due to the following reasons:
1. Symmetrical distribution of electrons: The completely filled or half filled subshells have
symmetrical distribution of electrons in them and are therefore more stable.
2. The stabilizing effect arises whenever two or more electrons with same spin are present in
the degenrate orbitals of a subshell. These electrons tend to exchange their positions
and the energy released due to their exchange is called exchange energy. The number of
exchanges that can takes place is maximum when the subshell is either half filled or
completely filled.
-As a result the exchange energy is maximum and so is the stability.