ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Atom and Subatomic particles  

 
   

Electron Configurations
Electron Configurations: arrangement of
electrons around the nucleus of an atom

   
Electron Configuration (K):  
 

Nuclide Notation
  Periodic Table Representation
 

 
  Example: Nuclide notation for Gold
 
Example: Nitrogen
Isotopes
Isotope Example: Three isotopes of hydrogen
Isotopes of an element have the same atomic  
number (number of protons) but a different mass
number (different number of neutrons)

 
Protons
 
Electrons
   
Neutrons
 
 

PERIODIC TABLE

Metals and Non-metals  

Periodic Table
Elements are arranged in increasing atomic
number (no. protons)
 
Metals: Lustrous (shiny), good conductors of heat
and electricity, malleable (can be hammered into
different shapes) & ductile (can be drawn into a
wire
 
Non-metals: opposite to metals
 
Metalloids: properties of both metals and non-
metals

Groups and Periods Groups (columns): 1 to 18 or I to VIII

 
Roman numeral = number of valence electrons
(outer-shell electrons)

eg. Nitrogen =
 
N:
 
Periods (rows): 1 to 7
 
Period number = number of occupied electron
shells
eg. Calcium =
 
Ca:
Classification  

Group 1 (I) = Alkali metals

 
Group 2 (II) = Alkaline Earth metals
 
Group 3 to 12 = Transition metals
 
Group 17 (VII) = Halogens
 
Group 18 (VIII) = Noble gases
 

IONS AND IONIC COMPOUNDS

Atoms & Ions  

Atom - particle which carries a neutral charge
 Number protons (+) = number of electrons (-)
Ion - particle which carries an overall charge
 Number of protons (+) ≠ number of electrons
(-)
 
Cation - positive charge as the atom has lost
electrons to become stable (metals)
Eg. Sodium atom: 11 protons (+) and 11 electrons
(-)
 
Na:
Na+:
Anion - negative charge as the atom has gained
electrons to become stable (non-metals)
Eg. Sulfur atom: 16 protons (+) and 16 electrons (-)
S:
S2-:

Periodic table and ions

 
Group 1 (I) - cation with a +1 charge
 
Group 2 (II) - cation with a +2 charge
 
Group 13 (III) - cation with a +3 charge
 
Group 15 (V) - anion with a -3 charge
 
Group 16 (VI) - anion with a -2 charge
 
Group 17 (VII) - anion with a -1 charge
Transition Metals & Ions  
 
Many transition metals can form ions with different
charges.

Example: Iron (Fe) can form an ion with +2 or +3

Fe2+: Iron(II) ion

Fe3+: Iron(III) ion

 
NOTE: These formulas and names for these ions
will be provided for you on the data sheet

 
Types of Ions  
   
Monoatomic ion - consists of ONE atom only
 Ions formed from single elements on the
periodic table
 Eg. Na+ , S2-
 
Polyatomic ion - contains MORE THAN ONE atom
 Eg. SO42- , NH4+
 
 
NOTE: The formulas and names for the polyatomic
ions will be provided for you on the data sheet

Ionic Compounds  
Example: Sodium chloride
Example: Magnesium chloride
 Made of cations (metals) and anions (non-
metals)
 Involves a transfer of electrons
 Are neutral (no overall charge)
 Ions are arranged in fixed positions in a
lattice
 Ions are held together by ionic bonding
(strong electrostatic attraction between
cations and anions)

 
 
Naming Ionic Compounds  
 
Naming Convention: Cation Anion
 
Cation: Name of the metal (or polyatomic ion)
 
Anion: Name of the non-metal BUT with 'ide' at
the end (or polyatomic ion)

Examples
 Chlorine becomes chloride
 Oxygen becomes oxide
 
NOTE: You need to take care when identifying and
naming the anion
   
  Example
 Phosphide: P3-
 Phosphate: PO43-

Writing Ionic Formulas  

   
Cross-over Method Example: Lithium oxide
   

 
  Example: Aluminium Sulphate
   
NOTE: if m and n are the same number, then you  
can cancel down  
   
Example: Magnesium oxide  
 
   
   
   
   
 
  NOTE: You need to make sure polyatomic ions
  are put in brackets if there is more than one ion