Unit # 6 Structure of an Atom

Q: What is Atom? Describe the structure of an atom.

Atom:- An atom is the smallest unstable particle of an element that cannot exist independently except in
noble gases. It shows all the properties of that element
Structure of atom: An atom is made of very small particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons. The
central part of an atom is called the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus while
electrons revolve around it. The number of protons in an atom is always equal to a number of electrons.
Electron:
Electrons revolve around the nucleus in different shells called orbits. Electron has a negative charge and
an extremely small mass.
Proton:
Proton has a positive charge. Its mass is 1837 times greater than that of the electron.
Neutron:
Neutron has no charge. The mass of neutrons is nearly equal to that of protons.

Q: Why is atom neutral?

In Atom number of proton is equal to number of electron as a result total positive charge of proton
balances total negative charge of electron therefore atom as whole is neutral.

Define the following and give examples.

1. Atomic Number:-
Number of protons present in a nucleus is called atomic number and it is represented by Z.
Examples: hydrogen has one proton so its atomic number is one and Helium has two proton in its
nucleus so its atomic number is 2 etc

2. Atomic Mass Numbers:-

The total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom is called atomic mass
Number and it is represented by A.
Examples: Helium has 2 neutrons and 2 protons in its nucleus so its atomic mass number is 4 and
Carbon has 6 protons and 6 neutrons so its atomic mass number is 12 etc.

3. Valency:
The number of electrons that an atom wants to lose, gain or share is called its valency.
e.g. sodium atom loses one electron so its valency is 1. and Chlorine atom gains on electrons so its
valency is 1 similarly hydrogen shares one electron so its valency is 1 etc.

4. Molecule:
A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or a compound that can exist independently and shows
all the properties of that element or compound
Examples:
Water H2O, Hydrogen H2 and Sugar C12H22 O11 etc

5. Chemical Formula:
Describing the molecule in the form of symbols and valencies is called chemical formula. The chemical
formula of a molecule shows :
o kinds of element s in the molecule.
o Number of atoms of each element.
Examples:
H2 represents molecule of hydrogen. It contains two atom of hydrogen.
H2O represents molecule of water. It contains two atom of hydrogen and one oxygen atom.
Q: What is an Ion? How ions are formed?
An atom with positive or negative charge is called an ion e.g. Sodium Ion Na+ , Hydrogen Ion H+ and
Chlorine Ion Cl- etc.
Formation of Ion:
When an atom donates one or more electrons, number of protons increases in it so it becomes positive
ion or cation.
When an atom accepts one or more electrons, number of electrons increases in it so it becomes negative
ion or anion.

Q: Define the term Isotopes? Write about the application of isotopes in the fields of medicine and
agriculture.
Isotopes: Atoms of the same element which have same atomic number but different atomic mass
number are called isotopes. Hydrogen has three isotopes. i.e. protium , deuterium and tritium.
Application:
Isotopes have great importance in the field of medicine and agriculture e.g. Carbon
o Carbon 14 is used to calculate age of plants.
o Nitrogen 15 is used to study the effects of fertilizers in plants.
o Sodium 24 is used to study circulation of blood.
o Phosphorus 32 is used in the treatment of blood cancer and bone diseases.
o Chromium 51 used to find the deficiency of red blood cells.
o Iron 59 is used to study absorption of iron in blood.
o Cobalt 60 is used in cancer treatment.
o Iodine 131 is used in goiter treatment.

Q: State the law of Constant Composition and give examples.

The composition of compound is always the same regardless of how the compound was made or
obtained. This is called law of constant composition.
Examples:
o Water can be obtained from many sources like rivers , canals and oceans etc but its molecule
always contain two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen
o Carbon dioxide is produced in number of ways but its molecule always consists of one carbon
atom and two oxygen atoms.

Q: How electrons are distributed in different shells

Shells are the path ways on which electrons revolve around the nucleus. Shells are also called energy
levels. The first shell around the nucleus is called ‘K’ shell and it can have 2 (two) electrons. Second,
third, fourth and fifth shells are named as L, M, N, O and they can accommodate 8, 18, 32 and 50
electrons respectively. We can calculate the number of electron in a shell by using “2n 2” formula. Where
‘n’ is for number of shell.

Q: Why do atoms combine?

Generally atoms combine to gain stability. Stability can be achieved when their outer most shell is
complete having 8 electrons or 2 electrons in case of having only K-shell. For this purpose an atom can
lose, gain or share electrons with other atoms.

Q: How is sodium chloride (NaCl) formed?

 Sodium has one electron and chlorine has 7 electrons in its outermost shell.
 One electron is transferred from sodium atom to chlorine atom. In doing so sodium becomes
positive ion (Na+) and chlorine becomes negative ion (Cl -).
 Negative and positive ions attract each other to form sodium chloride (NaCl).

Q: Write the steps to make the formula of ionic compound.

Two write the formula of an ionic compound, follow these steps
 1. Write the symbol of +ve ion on the left and –ve ion on the right
2. Put the valency number of each ion with its charge on its top right side.
3. Interchange the valency numbers of both ions and write them on the lower right side of each ion.
emit +ve and –ve sign. 1 is also not written by default.
This method of writing formula is called the crisscross method.

Q: What are the radioisotopes? How they help us?

Some isotopes release radiations all the time, these isotopes are called radioisotopes.
Radioisotopes are used for human welfare e.g. They are used in food industry to kill germ present in
food and food can be preserved for longer time. They are also being used in medicine and agriculture
industries etc.

Q: Differentiate between atom and molecule

Atom Molecule
1. An atom is the smallest particle of an element. 1. It is the smallest particle of an element or compound.
2. It shows all the properties of the element. 2. It shows all the properties of the element or compound
3. It is indivisible in chemical reaction. 3. It is divisible in chemical reaction.
4. It does not exist in free state except noble gases. 4. It exists in free state.
5. It retains identity during chemical reaction. 5. It does not retains identity during chemical reaction

Q: What work is done by John Dalton about matter?

According to John Dolton:
(a) Matter is composed of extremely tine and indivisible particles called atom
(b) Atoms can neither be destroyed nor created
(c) Atoms of an element are all identical

Q: Write down the composition of elements in earth crust:

Elements % Elements %
Oxygen 50 Calcium 3
Silicon 26 Potassium and sodium 2.5
Aluminum 7 Magnesium 2
Iron 4 Hydrogen 0.14
Others 3

Short answers

Q: What does give the positive charge to the nucleus of an atom?

Protons give positive charge to the nucleus because they carry positive charge.

Q: How the isotopes of an element alike and how are they different?
Isotopes of an element have same atomic number and chemical properties but they have different atomic
mass number and physical properties.

Q: A chlorine atom has 17 protons and 18 neutrons. What is its mass number? What is its atomic
number?
Atomic number = number of proton= 18
Atomic mass number = protons + neutrons
= 18 + 17
= 35

Electron distribution of 18 elements

Q: List the name, charges and location of particles that make up an atom.
Atom is made of very small particles called electrons, protons and neutrons.
Electron:
Electron has negative charge and revolves around the nucleus.
Proton:
Proton has positive charge. It is present inside the nucleus.
Neutron:
Neutron has no charge. It is present inside the nucleus

Some Important Formulae

Sodium Chloride NaCl Carbon Dioxide CO2 Ammonia NH3

Water H2O Carbon tetrachloride CCl4 Sugar C12H22O11
Glucose C6H12O6 Sodium Hydroxide NaOH Magnesium chloride MgCl2
Methane CH4 Calcium Carbonate CaCO3 Silver Sulphide Ag2S
Aluminum Oxide Al2O3 Potassium Bromide K3B Aluminum Chloride AlCl3
Magnesium Iodide MnI2 Copper Oxide CuO Hydrogen Sulphide H2S
Magnesium Floride MgF2 Sodium Phosphate Na2P Silver Chloride AgCl
Sodium Oxide Na2O Sodium Phosphide Na3P Ozone O3