In the standard NCERT curriculum, Class 9 Science Chapter 4 is "Structure of the Atom".
Here is a comprehensive summary of the key concepts covered in this chapter:
1. Subatomic Particles
Initially, atoms were thought to be indivisible. However, the discovery of subatomic particles
proved this wrong. An atom is made up of three primary subatomic particles:
● Electrons (e^-): Negatively charged particles discovered by J.J. Thomson.
● Protons (p^+): Positively charged particles discovered by E. Goldstein.
● Neutrons (n^0): Neutral particles (no charge) discovered by J. Chadwick. They are
present in the nucleus of all atoms except hydrogen.
2. Models of the Atom
To explain how these subatomic particles are arranged within an atom, various scientists
proposed different models:
A. Thomson’s Model of an Atom J.J. Thomson proposed that an atom is a positively charged
sphere, and the negatively charged electrons are embedded in it, much like seeds in a
watermelon or plums in a pudding.
● Key takeaway: The negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude, making the
atom electrically neutral as a whole.
B. Rutherford’s Model of an Atom Ernest Rutherford conducted the famous Alpha-particle
scattering experiment, where he bombarded a thin gold foil with fast-moving alpha particles.
● Observations: Most alpha particles passed straight through, some were deflected
slightly, and a very small fraction bounced right back.
● Conclusions: He concluded that most of the space inside the atom is empty. The atom
has a dense, positively charged center called the nucleus, which contains nearly all the
mass of the atom. The electrons revolve around the nucleus in circular paths.
● Drawback: Any particle in a circular orbit would undergo acceleration and radiate energy.
Thus, the revolving electron would lose energy and eventually fall into the nucleus,
making the atom unstable.
C. Bohr’s Model of an Atom To overcome Rutherford's drawbacks, Neils Bohr proposed a new
model:
● Electrons revolve around the nucleus only in certain special, "discrete" orbits.
● While revolving in these discrete orbits, the electrons do not radiate energy.
● These orbits or shells are called energy levels and are represented by the letters K, L, M,
N or numbers n=1, 2, 3, 4.
3. Distribution of Electrons (Bohr-Bury Scheme)
The distribution of electrons into different orbits follows specific rules:
1. The maximum number of electrons present in a shell is given by the formula 2n^2, where
n is the orbit number (1, 2, 3...).
○ K shell (n=1): 2(1)^2 = 2 electrons
○ L shell (n=2): 2(2)^2 = 8 electrons
2. The outermost shell can accommodate a maximum of 8 electrons (Octet rule).
3. Electrons are not accommodated in a given shell unless the inner shells are completely
filled.
4. Valency
The electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are called valence electrons. The
combining capacity of an atom—how many electrons it needs to lose, gain, or share to achieve
a full outermost shell (octet)—is called its valency.
5. Atomic Number and Mass Number
● Atomic Number (Z): The total number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom.
Every element has a unique atomic number.
● Mass Number (A): The sum of the total number of protons and neutrons present in the
nucleus of an atom.
6. Isotopes and Isobars
● Isotopes: Atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different
mass numbers. (Example: Carbon-12 and Carbon-14).
● Isobars: Atoms of different elements that have different atomic numbers but the same
mass number. (Example: Calcium and Argon both have a mass number of 40).
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