Atomic Structures

Magic of Electrons © 2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

 Atoms
The smallest piece
of an element that
contains all
properties of that
element
 Components of an Atom
Nucleus
The center portion of
an atom containing the
protons and neutrons
Protons
Positively charged
atomic particles
Neutrons
Uncharged atomic
particles
 Atomic Number
The atomic number is
equal to the number of
protons in the nucleus
of an atom.

The atomic number

identifies the element.

How many protons

are in this nucleus?
 Electrons
For this unit, we mainly care about
electrons in atoms.
Why?

It is important to understand the

“how and why” of the movement of
electrons to understand electricity.
 Electrons

Negatively charged
particles
 Electrons
Models of the Atom

3D 2D

Bohr’s Model
 Electrons

• The electrons reside in the

electron cloud
• The clouds are divided into
7 energy levels
• Electrons “reside” in lowest
energy levels whenever
possible.
 Electrons
Areas within each energy level where electrons
move around the nucleus of an atom are known
as Electron Orbitals.
There are four different type of orbitals, each type
able to contain different numbers of electrons

Sharp Principal Diffuse Fundamental

 Electrons
Energy Types of Maximum
Level Orbitals Electrons
Types of Orbitals 1 1 2
(S)
S orbitals can hold up to 2 2 8
2 electrons (S & P)

3 3 18
P orbitals can hold up to (S, P, D)
6 electrons 4 4 32
(S, P, D & F)
D orbitals can hold up to
5 4 32
10 electrons (S, P, D & F)

F orbitals can hold up to 6 3

(S, P, D)
18

14 electrons 7 2 8
(S & P)
 Orbital Filling order:
Electrons 1s
2s
2p
Electrons will not completely fill 3s
3p
all the orbitals in an energy level 4s
before moving up to another 3d
4p
level. Because of this, 5s
There are never more than 8 4d
5p
electrons in the highest energy 6s
level! 4f
5d
The electrons in the highest 6p
energy level of an atom are 7s
5f
called the Valence Electrons 6d
7p
 Electron Orbits
Atoms work to have their valence level
either filled (8) or empty(0) of electrons.
How many electrons
are in the valence
level?
1
Copper has a loose
hold on this
electron, so it can
easily be moved
 Electron Orbits
Atoms like to have their valence level either
filled (8) or empty(0) of electrons.

How many electrons

are in the valence
level?
6
Sulfur has space to
gain two electrons in
its valence level.
 What does all this have to do
with Electricity?
The number of valence electrons in an atom
will determine if an element will allow
electricity to flow.

The ability of an atom to draw electrons to

itself (away from its neighbors) is called
Electronegativity.
 Conductors and Insulators
Conductors Insulators
Electrons flow easily Electron flow is difficult
between atoms between atoms
1-3 valence electrons in 5-8 valence electrons in
outer orbit outer orbit
Low Electronegativity High Electronegativity
Good Conductors: Examples: Mica, Glass,
Silver, Copper, Gold, Rubber, Plastic . . .
Aluminum . . .
 Conductors and Insulators
Identify conductors and insulators

Conductors Insulators
 Periodic Table of Elements

NASA

Which element has 4 protons?

Periodic Table
Drawn Structure
Metals, Non-Metals, & Metalloids
 Metals, Non-Metals, & Metalloids

Good Conductors Poor Conductors

Poor Insulators Good Insulators
Shiny Dull Luster
Malleable Brittle
Combination of metal and non-metal properties
High Density Low Density
Conduct heat & electricity better than insulators, but not
Low Electronegativity Melt at lower temps
as good as metals
High
Solids
Electronegativity
Semi-conductors
 Semiconductors
•Include Carbon, Germanium, and Silicon
•Contain 4 valence electrons
•Neither a good insulator, nor a good
conductor, but can be made a better
conductor through doping.
•Needed for transistors and microchips
•Silicon is most often used in electronic
applications
•Silicon is an insulator at room temperature
but becomes a conductor when heated
Electron Flow in Conductors
An atom will lose a valence electron when
“pushed” by an electron from another
atom.
 Electron Flow
Electricity is created as electrons collide and
transfer from atom to atom.

Play Animation
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.).

Genesis: Search for origins. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from
http://
genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/educate/scimodule/cosmic/ptable.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/fundamentals/a
tomsrev1.shtml