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VISWABHARATI – GUDIVADA
CLASS: X SUB: CHEMISTRY
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Structure of Atom
Atom : Atom is the smallest particle of an element which can take part in a chemical reaction.

 Atoms are mostly hallow which means they are empty from inside.
 Towards the centre of the atom we have a nucleus and we say that the mass of the atom is mostly due
to nucleus itself.
 Nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons.
 Protons have positive charge.
Neutrons have no charge.
 The protons and neutrons together are known as ‘Nucleons’.
 Electrons are revolved around the nucleus like planets revolve around the sun.
 Electrons have negative charge.
 These protons, neutrons and electrons are known as sub atomic particles or fundamental particles.

Test yourself :

1. What are fundamental particles.

2. What are nucleons
3. Name the positively charged sub atomic particle which is present in the nucleus.

Bohr’s Model of an Atom

Bohr’s model of the atom was proposed by Neils Bohr in 1915.

Postulates of Bohr’s Model :

 According to Bohr, an electron revolve around the nucleus in a specified circular paths called
shells or orbits.
 These orbits are represented by “n” and named as 1,2,3,4,….. (or) K, L, M, N……..
Here n = 1 or K [1st shell]
n = 2 or L [2nd shell]
 Each orbit is associated with a definite amount of energy. Hence these orbits are also called
“Energy levels”.
 The energy of the shell is increases with increasing shell number.
Energy order is
1 < 2 < 3 < 4…….
K < L < M < N …..
 As long as electrons revolve in a particular orbit the electron neither gains nor loses the energy.
Therefore
these orbits are called “Stationary orbits”.
 When an electron absorbs energy it jumps form a lower energy level to a higher energy level and by
emitting energy it jumps from a higher energy level to a lower energy level.

Limitations :

 This model is applicable only for spectrum of Hydrogen atom and it could not explain the spectra of
larger atoms.
 It is failed to explain the splitting of line spectrum.
 It is failed to explain the Zeeman effect & Stark effect.

Zeeman effect : Splitting of line spectra in the presence of Magnetic field.

Stark effect : Splitting of line spectra in the presence of Electric field.

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Test Yourself

1. Write the postulates and limitations of Bohr’s model of an atom?

2. Which electronic shell is at a higher energy level among K, L, M and N?
3. Which electronic shell is at a higher energy level K or L?
4. Why Bohr’s orbits are also called energy levels?
5. The lowest energy state of the electron is known as _______
6. The highest energy state of the electron is known as __________
7. What happens when an electron gains energy?

Bohr – Somerfield Model of an Atom

To explain the splitting of line spectra (fine spectra), Somerfield modified Bohr’s atomic model by
adding elliptical orbits (n – 1).

 Somerfield added 3 elliptical orbits to the Bohr’s 4th orbit.

Reason: To explain the splitting of line spectra.

 Somerfield added 2 elliptical orbits to the Bohr’s 3rd orbit.

Reason : To explain the splitting of line spectra.

 Somerfield added 1 elliptical orbit to the Bohr’s 2nd orbit.

Reason : To explain the splitting of line spectra.

Quantum Mechanical Model of an atom

 To understand the properties of electrons in an atom, a quantum mechanical model of atom was
developed by “Erwin Schrodinger”.
 According to this model of an atom, instead of orbits or shells of Bohr’s model, the electrons are
thought to exist in a particular region of space around the nucleus at a given instant of time.
 The region of space around the nucleus where the probability of finding the electron is maximum is
called an “Orbital”.

Orbit
1. Orbit is a path of an electron
around the nucleus
2. They are circular in shape
3. Orbits are represented by
K,L,M,N,…..(or) 1,2,3,4,…
4. Maximum no. of electrons in
any orbit is 2n2
5. Orbits are 2D
Orbital
The region of space around the nucleus where the
probability of finding the electron is maximum is called an
orbital
They are different in shapes from each other (spherical,
dumb-bell or double dumb-bell in shape)
Orbitals are represented by s, p, d, f,……
Maximum no. of electrons in any orbital is 2
Orbitals are 3D
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Test Yourself

1. What is an orbital? How it is different from Bohr’s orbit?

2. Who developed the Quantum mechanical model of an atom?
3. Match the following:
i) Bohr [ ] a) Orbital
ii) Somerfield [ ] b) Magnetic field
iii) Erwin Schrodinger[ ] c) Electric field
iv) Zeeman effect [ ] d) Circular orbits
v) Stark effect [ ] e) Elliptical orbits

4. How many elliptical orbits are added by Somerfield in 3rd Bohr’s orbit? What was the purpose of
adding these elliptical orbits?
5. How many elliptical orbits are added by Somerfield in 2nd Bohr’s orbit?

Quantum Number

The set of numbers used to describe the position and energy of the electron in an atom are called “Quantum
Numbers”.

There are 4 Quantum numbers, namely

1) Principal Quantum number

2) Azimuthal Quantum number
(or)
Orbital angular momentum quantum number.
3) Magnetic Quantum number
4) Spin Quantum number

Principal Quantum Azimuthal Quantum Magnetic Quantum

Spin Quantum number
number number number
1) Principal Quantum Azimuthal Quantum Magnetic Quantum Spin Quantum number was
number was given by number was given by number was given by given by “Uhlenbuck” and
“Bohr” “Somerfield”. “Lande” “Goud Smidth”
2) Principal Quantum Magnetic Quantum
Azimuthal Quantum Spin Quantum number is
number is denoted by number is denoted by
number is denoted by “l” denoted by “s” or “ms”
“n” “m” or “ml”
3) Principal Quantum Azimuthal Quantum Magnetic quantum no.
Spin Quantum no.
number represents the number represents the represents the
represents the spinning of
name, size & energy of name and shape of the Orientation of the
the electron.
the “shell”. “Subshell” “Orbital”.
Spin quantum number
Azimuthal Quantum Magnetic Quantum values are + −
4) Principal Quantum number values are number values are
number values are l value 0 1 2 3 + = Clockwise spinning of
ml = “-l” to “+l”
n = 1,2,3,4,… (or) Name s p d f the e-
of the
including ‘zero’ (or)
n = K,L,M,N,…
subshell ml = 2l + 1 − = Anticlockwise
spinning of the e-
5) “n” values are lies “ml” values are lies
between 1 to  “l” values are lies between –l to +l
 Maximum “n” value between 0 to (n-1) maximum “ml” value
= Maximum “l” value = 0 = +l
 Minimum “n” value Minimum “l” value = 0 minimum “ml” value
=1 = -l
6) The no. of electrons
in any orbit or shell is The no. of electrons in a The no. of electrons in
given by the formula given subshell = 2(2l+1) any orbital = 2
2n2
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Answer the following questions:

i) How many maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in a principal energy shell?
Ans: The maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell = “2n2”
Shell number (n) Maximum no. of electrons (2n2)
1st shell (or) ‘K’ shell 2 12 = 2e-
nd
2 shell (or) “L” shell 2  22 = 8e-
rd
3 shell (or) “M” shell 2 32 = 18 e-
4th shell (or) “N” shell 2 42 = 32 e-
ii) How many maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in a subshell?
The maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in a subshell = 2(2l+1)
Sub shell (l) Maximum no. of electrons 2(2l+1)
l = 0 ‘s’ sub shell 2(2(0) + 1) = 2 e-
l = 0 ‘p’ sub shell 2(2(1) + 1) = 6 e-
l = 2 ‘d’ sub shell 2(2(2) + 1) = 10 e-
l = 3 ‘f’ sub shell 2(2(3) + 1) = 14 e-

iii) How many maximum number of electrons can be accommodated in an orbital?

Ans: The maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in an orbital = “2”

iv) How many sub shells present in a principle energy shell?

Ans: For nth shell, “n” no. of sub shells will be
Shell Sub shell
st
1 shell 1 sub shell (1s)
2nd shell 2 sub shells (2s, 2p)
rd
3 shell 3 sub shells (3s, 3p, 3d)
4th shell 4 sub shells (4s, 4p, 4d, 4f)

v) How many spin orientations are possible for an electron in an orbital?

Ans: 2 orientations are possible + for clockwise spinning of the e-
− for anticlockwise spinning of the e-

Test Yourself

1. If n = 1 then angular momentum quantum number (l) = _______

2. If a sub-shell is denoted as 2p then its magnetic quantum number values are ______ ______ ______
3. Maximum number of electrons that an “M” shell contain is/are ______
4. The maximum no. of electrons that can be accommodated in the L-shell of an atom is [ ]
A) 2 B) 4 C) 8 D) 16
5. If l = 1 for an atom then the number of orbitals in its sub-shell is [ ]
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 0
6. The quantum number which explains about size and energy of the orbit or shell is [ ]
A) n B) l C) ml D) ms
7. For “n”, the minimum value is _________ and the maximum value is __________
8. For ‘l’ the minimum value is __________ and the maximum value is _________
9. For “ml” the minimum value is _________ and the maximum value is __________
10. The value of “ms” for an electron spinning in clock-wise direction is __________ and for anti-
clockwise direction is ___________
11. What is the use of quantum numbers?
12. Write the four quantum numbers for 1s1, 2s1, 3s1 electrons
13. An electron in an atom has the folloiwng set of four quantum numbers to which orbital it belongs to

n l ml ms
2 0 0 +½

14. Write the four quantum numbers for the differentiating electron of Sodium (Na) atom.
15. write the four quantum numbers for the differentiating electron of Potassium (K) atom.
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16. For the f-subshell, l = 3, then the total number of “m” values is [ ]
A) 7 B) 5 C) 6 D) 4
17. Match the following
A) Zeeman effect [ ] i) m = -1, 0, +1
B) Stark effect [ ] ii) m = 0
C) d – sub shells [ ] iii) magnetic field
D) s – orbital [ ] iv) m = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2
E) S – orbial [ ] v) Electric field

18. The Azimuthal quantum number for the last electron in Sodium is [ ]
A) 1 B) 2 C) 0 D) 3
19. Assertion (A) : The maximum number of electrons in 4th orbit is 32
Reason (R) : The maximum number of electrons in nth orbit is 2n2 [ ]
A) Both A & R are correct and “R” is the correct explanation of “A”
B) Both A & R are correct but “R” is the not correct explanation of “A”
C) “A” is correct “R” is incorrect D) “A” is incorrect

Electronic Configuration
The distribution of electrons in shells, sub shells and orbitals in an atom is known as electronic
configuration.

To describe the electronic configuration for more than one electron in the atom, we need to know
three principles.

 Aufbau principle
 Pauli’s Exclusion principle
 Hund’s principle

Aufbau Principle
 The German word “Aufbau” means “building up”
 Aufbau principle states that, “Lowest energy orbitals are filled first”.

Salient features of the Aufbau principle:

 According to the Aufbau principle, electrons first occupy those orbitals whose energy is the lowest.
 Energy of the orbitals can be determined with the help of the “(n+l) rule”.

(n + l) rule :

Here n = Principal Quantum number

l = Azimuthal quantum number
Sum of the principal and Azimuthal quantum numbers (n+1) determines the energy level of the orbital.

i) Lower (n+l) values correspond to lower orbital energies

Orbital n l n+l
1s 1 0 1+0=1
2s 2 0 2+0=2
2p 2 1 2+1=3
Energy order of orbitals is
1s < 2s < 2p
So electrons are assigned to orbitals in order of increasing value of (n + l)
ii) If two orbitals share equal (n+l) values, the orbital with the lower “n” value is said to have lower
energy.
Orbital n l n+l
2p 2 1 2+1 = 3
2s 3 0 3+0 = 3
Energy order of orbitals is 2p < 3s
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iii) Moeller diagram / Relative energy of Orbitals / Increasing (n+l) values

Moeller diagram is the diagrammatic representation of the filling of electrons in the orbitals
according to Aufbau principle. l=0 l=1 l=2 l=3

Energy order of the orbitals is

n=1
1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d <
n=2 4p < 5s < 4d < 5p < 6s < 4f < 5d <
n=3 6p < 7s < 5f < 6d < 7p < 8s
n=4
n=5
n=6
n=7
n=8

Q) Why electron enters into the 4s orbital but not into “3d” after filling 3p orbital?

Orbital n l n+l
4s 4 0 4+0 = 4
3d 3 2 3+2 = 5
Here the energy (n+l) of 4s orbital is less than 3d. so according to Aufbau principle lowest energy
orbitals are filled first.

 Electron enters into the 4s orbital after filling 3p orbital.

Pauli’s Principle

 According to Pauli’s exclusion principle “no two electrons of the same atom can have all 4 quantum
numbers the same”
There are two salient rules that the Pauli exclusion principle follows.
 An orbital can hold only two electrons.
 The two electrons that are present in the same orbital must have opposite spins or it should be
antiparallel.
 Hence, the electronic configuration of Helium atom is n l ml ms
1st e- 1 0 0 +
-
 One e has ms = + ½ , the other has ms = - ½ 2nde- 1 0 0 -½

Hund’s rule
According to this rule “electron pairing in orbitals starts only when all available empty degenerated
orbitals are singles occupied”.
Here degenerated orbitals = same energetic orbitals

 According to Hund’s rule, the electronic configurations of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Fluorine as
follows.
7 Atomic Elements Electronic Configuration
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Q: What is nlx method and how it is useful?

 The distribution of electrons in shells, sub-shells and orbitals in an atom is known as electronic
configuration.
 The short notation of electronic configuration is called nlx method.

 nlx method helps to predict the values of all the 4 quantum numbers of any electron.
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Q: What information does the electronic configuration of an atom provide?

The electronic configuration of an element gives

 valency of that element

 which block does the element belongs to?
 Which period does the element belong to?
 Which group does the element belong to?
 Reactivity of element.
 Does the element participating in ionic bond or covalent bond or chemically inert?
 Metallic or Non metallic character of an element.

Q: In an atom the number of electrons in “M-shell” is equal to the number of electrons in the “K” and
“L” shell. Answer the following:

a) Which is the outermost shell?

b) How many electrons are there in it’s outermost shell?
c) What is the atomic number of element?
d) Write the electronic configuration of the element?

Q: Why there are exemptions in writing the electronic configuration of chromium and copper.

Elements which have half-filled or completely filled orbitals have greater stability.

 Chromium (24) : To get stable half-filled electronic configuration, chromium shows [Ar] 4s13d5
instead of [Ar] 4s23d4

 Copper (29) : To get stable full-filled electronic configuration, copper shows [Ar] 4s13d10
instead of [Ar]4s23d9

Test Yourself

1. Which rule is violated in the electronic configuration 1s02s2 2p4?

2. Following orbital diagram shows the electronic configuration of Nitrogen atom, which rule does not
support this?

3. In an atom the number of electrons in “M”-shell is 2. Find out its atomic number

4. Which rule is violated

5. Write the electronic configuration of Chromium and Copper.

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Shapes of the Orbitals

s
The shape of “S” orbital is spherical

Test Yourself

1. Match the following:

i) s [ ] a) 7 degenerated orbitals
ii) p [ ] b) 5 degenerated orbitals
iii) d [ ] c) 3 degenerated orbitals
iv) f [ ] d) 1 orbital
2. Match the following:
i) s [ ] a) dumb-bell
ii) p [ ] b) spherical
iii) d [ ] c) double dumb-bell
3. draw the shapes of l = 0 orbitals?
4. Draw the shapes of l = 1 orbitals?
5. Draw the shapes of l = 2 orbital?