Atomic Structure - Key Concepts
1. Fundamental Particles of an Atom
• Electron (e⁻): Discovered by J.J. Thomson, negatively charged.
• Proton (p⁺): Discovered by Goldstein, positively charged.
• Neutron (n⁰): Discovered by James Chadwick, neutral charge.
Particle Charge Mass (kg) Location
Electron -1 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ Outside nucleus (orbitals)
Proton +1 1.673 × 10⁻²⁷ Inside nucleus
Neutron 0 1.675 × 10⁻²⁷ Inside nucleus
2. Atomic Models
(a) Dalton’s Atomic Theory (1803)
• Atoms are indivisible and indestructible (later disproved).
(b) Thomson’s Plum Pudding Model (1897)
• Atoms consist of negatively charged electrons embedded in a positively charged
sphere. (Disproved by Rutherford).
(c) Rutherford’s Nuclear Model (1911)
• Based on alpha scattering experiment:
o Atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus.
o Electrons revolve around the nucleus.
o Most of the atom is empty space.
• Limitation: Could not explain electron stability.
(d) Bohr’s Model (1913)
• Electrons revolve in fixed orbits (energy levels).
• Energy of electrons is quantized (E = hν).
• Electrons do not radiate energy while in a stable orbit.
(e) Quantum Mechanical Model (Schrödinger, 1926)
• Electrons behave as both particles and waves.
• Exact position of electrons cannot be determined (Heisenberg’s Uncertainty
Principle).
• Electrons exist in atomic orbitals described by quantum numbers.
3. Quantum Numbers
Quantum numbers describe the position and energy of an electron in an atom.
Quantum Number Symbol Meaning Values
Principal Quantum Number n Energy level/shell n = 1, 2, 3…
Azimuthal Quantum Number l Shape of orbital l = 0 to (n-1)
Magnetic Quantum Number mₗ Orientation of orbital mₗ = -l to +l
Spin Quantum Number mₛ Spin of electron +½ or -½
• Orbitals and their Shapes:
o s-orbital (l = 0) → Spherical shape
o p-orbital (l = 1) → Dumbbell shape
o d-orbital (l = 2) → Double dumbbell shape
o f-orbital (l = 3) → Complex shape
4. Electronic Configuration Rules
• Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill lower energy orbitals first.
• Pauli’s Exclusion Principle: No two electrons in an atom can have the same four
quantum numbers.
• Hund’s Rule: Electrons fill degenerate orbitals singly before pairing.
Order of Orbital Filling:
1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p < 5s < 4d...
5. Wave-Particle Duality & Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
• De Broglie Equation: λ = h/mv (Electrons have wave nature).
• Heisenberg’s Principle: It is impossible to simultaneously determine the exact position
and momentum of an electron.
MCQs on Atomic Structure with Answers and Explanations
1. Discovery of Subatomic Particles
Q1. Who discovered the electron?
a) J.J. Thomson
b) Goldstein
c) Rutherford
d) Chadwick
Answer: a) J.J. Thomson
Explanation: J.J. Thomson discovered the electron through the cathode ray experiment in
1897.
Q2. Which subatomic particle was discovered by James Chadwick?
a) Proton
b) Electron
c) Neutron
d) Positron
Answer: c) Neutron
Explanation: Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932 using beryllium bombardment
experiments.
2. Atomic Models
Q3. What was the major drawback of Rutherford’s atomic model?
a) Could not explain the existence of the nucleus
b) Could not explain electron stability
c) Did not consider protons
d) Suggested a uniform distribution of charge
Answer: b) Could not explain electron stability
Explanation: According to classical physics, electrons should lose energy and spiral into the
nucleus, but this doesn’t happen.
Q4. Which atomic model proposed that electrons move in fixed orbits around the nucleus?
a) Thomson’s Model
b) Rutherford’s Model
c) Bohr’s Model
d) Quantum Mechanical Model
Answer: c) Bohr’s Model
Explanation: Bohr’s model (1913) introduced quantized energy levels where electrons
revolve without radiating energy.
3. Quantum Numbers and Orbitals
Q5. The principal quantum number (n) determines:
a) Shape of the orbital
b) Energy and size of the orbit
c) Orientation of the orbital
d) Spin of the electron
Answer: b) Energy and size of the orbit
Explanation: The principal quantum number (n) specifies the energy level and distance from
the nucleus.
Q6. If the azimuthal quantum number (l) is 2, what type of orbital does it represent?
a) s-orbital
b) p-orbital
c) d-orbital
d) f-orbital
Answer: c) d-orbital
Explanation: The value of l determines orbital shape:
• l=0→s
• l=1→p
• l=2→d
• l=3→f
Q7. The number of orbitals in a p-subshell is:
a) 1
b) 3
c) 5
d) 7
Answer: b) 3
Explanation: The p-subshell (l = 1) has three orbitals (mₗ = -1, 0, +1).
4. Electronic Configuration Rules
Q8. The Aufbau Principle states that:
a) Electrons fill lower energy orbitals first
b) No two electrons can have the same quantum numbers
c) Electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly first
d) Electrons cannot exist in orbitals
Answer: a) Electrons fill lower energy orbitals first
Explanation: Orbitals are filled in the order 1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p…
Q9. According to Hund’s Rule, electrons will:
a) Pair up before singly occupying orbitals
b) Occupy different orbitals in the same subshell before pairing
c) Always fill the 4s orbital first
d) Have the same quantum numbers
Answer: b) Occupy different orbitals in the same subshell before pairing
Explanation: Hund’s Rule states that electrons maximize parallel spin before pairing.
Q10. Which of the following violates the Pauli Exclusion Principle?
a) Two electrons in an orbital with opposite spins
b) Two electrons in an orbital with the same spin
c) Electrons filling lower energy orbitals first
d) Electrons occupying different orbitals in the same subshell
Answer: b) Two electrons in an orbital with the same spin
Explanation: The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have
the same four quantum numbers.
5. Wave-Particle Duality and Heisenberg’s Principle
Q11. De Broglie’s equation relates:
a) Energy and mass
b) Wavelength and momentum
c) Position and time
d) Charge and mass
Answer: b) Wavelength and momentum
Explanation: De Broglie’s equation (λ = h/mv) describes wave-particle duality of electrons.
Q12. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle states that:
a) Electrons revolve in circular orbits
b) It is impossible to know both the position and momentum of an electron
c) Electrons exist in definite energy levels
d) Protons have no mass
Answer: b) It is impossible to know both the position and momentum of an electron
Explanation: Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle: Δx × Δp ≥ h/4π
1. What is the total number of orbitals in the third shell (n = 3)?
a) 3
b) 6
c) 9
d) 16
Answer: c) 9 (n² = 3² = 9)
2. Which quantum number determines the number of subshells in a given shell?
a) Principal quantum number (n)
b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
c) Magnetic quantum number (mₗ)
d) Spin quantum number (mₛ)
Answer: b) Azimuthal quantum number (l)
3. The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in an f-subshell is:
a) 6
b) 10
c) 14
d) 18
Answer: c) 14