Chemistry for Everyone
Chapter 3: Atomic Structure
Subatomic Particles
• An atom is made of three types of subatomic particles:
• Proton
• Neutron
• Electron
Particle Relative Relative Actual Mass, kg
Charge Mass
Proton +1 1 1.67 ´ 10-27
Neutron 0 1 1.67 ´ 10-27
Electron -1 0 9.11 ´ 10-31
Isotopes
• Since protons determine the identity of an atom, and the atomic
nucleus is made of BOTH protons and neutrons. What do we call
atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number
of neutrons?
• ISOTOPES!
• Same element, different masses
Practice
235
How many neutrons are there in the 92 U nucleus?
Refer to the following isotope symbols, in which the letter X replaces each element symbol.
16 16 14 14 12
8 X 7 X 7 X 6 X 6 X
(a) Which represent isotopes of the same element?
(b) Which have the same mass number?
(c) Which have the same number of neutrons?
Electricity and the Atom
Electrolyte: A compound that conducts electricity when molten or
dissolved in water.
Electrodes: Carbon rods or metallic strips that carry electrical current.
• Anode: A positive electrode.
• Cathode: A negative electrode.
Ions
Ion: An atom or group of atoms with a charge.
• Ions are formed when the number of electrons and protons are not equal.
• Anion: A negative ion.
• Cation: A positive ion.
How Were All These Figured Out?
• 1886, Goldstein’s Experiment: observed positive rays (protons)
• 1897, J.J. Thomson
• Cathode Ray Tubes (discovery of electrons and the charge)
• 1909, Robert Millikan:
• Oil-drop experiment determined the charge of an electron.
Radioactivity
1895, Antoine Becquerel:
Becquerel discovered radioactivity. During the following decade and a
half, Marie and Pierre Curie worked to isolate pure radioactive
substances.
Three Types of Radioactivity
Name Greek Letter Mass (u) Charge
Alpha α 4 2+
1
Beta β 1837
1−
Gamma γ 0 0
• 1911, Ernest Rutherford
• Gold foil experiment
• Discovery of the atomic nucleus
• An atom is mostly empty space
Atomic Structure
Atomic number: The number of protons in a nucleus.
Mass number: The sum of protons and neutrons in a nucleus.
A
x
Z
x = Element symbol
A= Mass number
Z = Atomic number
Electron Arrangement
• Flame tests: Different elements give different colors to a flame.
• Quantum: A tiny unit of energy produced or absorbed when an
electron makes a transition from one energy level to another.
When electrons are in the lowest energy state, they are said to be in
the ground state.
When energy from a flame or other source is absorbed by the
electrons, they are promoted to a higher energy state (excited state).
When an electron in an excited state returns to a lower energy state, it
emits a photon of energy, which may be observed as light.
The Quantum Model
Principal energy levels (shells): Roughly correlate to the
distance that an electron is from an atom’s nucleus.
Sublevels (subshells): Each principal energy level (n) is
divided into n sublevels.
Orbitals: Orbitals are regions in space that represent a
high probability of locating an electron. Each sublevel has
one or more orbitals.
• The electrons of an atom
can be assigned using
electron configuration:
Numbers in red:
• Valence electrons
• Valence electrons are
the electrons in the
outermost shell of an
atom.
• The periodic table can be divided into “blocks” to reflect the valence
electron occupancy:
Practice
What is the electron configuration for fluorine?
Write the electron configurations and underline the valence shell for
(a) oxygen
(b) sulfur.
The Periodic Table
The periodic table is considered by many to be the most predictive tool
in all of chemistry.
It is composed of vertical columns called groups (or families) and
horizontal rows called periods.
• Groups (families): Vertical columns in the periodic table. Groups contain
elements with similar chemical properties.
• Periods: Horizontal rows in the periodic table. Elements in a period
demonstrate a range of properties from metallic (on the left) to nonmetallic
(on the right).
Valence electrons:
• Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.
• These are the electrons that are gained, lost, or shared in a chemical reaction.
• Elements in a group or family have the same number of valence electrons.
Some groups in the periodic table have special names:
• Alkali Metals: Group 1A
• 1 valence electron
• Alkaline Earth Metals: Group 2A
• 2 valence electrons
• Halogens: Group 7A
• 7 valence electrons
• Noble Gases: Group 8A (These are EXTREMELY stable)
• 8 valence electrons
The Periodic Table
• Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids:
Metals
• Metallic luster, conduct heat and electricity, malleable, and
ductile.
• Examples are sodium and copper.
Nonmetals
• Dull luster, nonconductors, and brittle in the solid state.
• Examples are sulfur and bromine.
Metalloids
• Demonstrate properties of both metals and nonmetals.
• Examples are silicon and arsenic.