SCIENCE 9 – STUDY NOTES
Topic: Atomic Structure and Compounds
This reviewer is based on the 50-item multiple-choice test aligned with the Science 9 Table
of Specifications (TOS). Each note explains the correct answer for every item.
Define what is an atom (Items 1–8)
1. Atom – The smallest particle of an element that retains its identity during a chemical
reaction.
2. Democritus – First used the term 'atomos,' meaning indivisible, to describe the smallest
particle of matter.
3. Neutral Atom – An atom is neutral because it has equal numbers of protons (positive) and
electrons (negative).– Equal protons and electrons
4. Protons – Determine the identity of an atom; changing the number of protons changes the
element.
5. Atoms vs. Molecules – Atoms are smaller than molecules and the basic building blocks;
molecules are made up of two or more atoms bonded together.
6. Structure of Atom (Nucleus with orbiting electrons) – Atoms consist of a dense nucleus
surrounded by electrons in energy levels.
7. Dalton’s Model – Described atoms as solid, indivisible spheres—an early model of atomic
theory.
8. Atomic Model – The nucleus should be placed at the center when designing a model
because it contains protons and neutrons.
9. Niels Bohr – Proposed that electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed circular paths called
energy levels.
10. Energy Levels – Determine how many electrons can occupy a particular orbit; the
farther the orbit, the higher the energy.
11. Emission of Energy (Energy is emitted) – When electrons fall from higher to lower
levels, they release energy as light.
12. Orbit = Energy Level – Each orbit in Bohr’s model represents a distinct energy level for
electrons.
13. Importance of Bohr’s Model – Explained atomic spectra and how light is emitted by
atoms.
14. Sommerfeld’s Elliptical Orbits – Added elliptical paths to explain electron movement
more accurately.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Electron motion
15. Quantum Model – Improved Bohr’s model by introducing orbitals instead of fixed orbits.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Quantum model
16. Spectral Lines – Bohr concluded that atoms emit light at specific frequencies
corresponding to energy transitions.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Light at specific frequencies
Quantum Model of an Atom (Items 17–25)
17. Schrödinger – Developed the quantum mechanical model using mathematical equations
to describe electron behavior.
✅ Correct Answer: C – Schrödinger
18. Orbitals – Electrons do not move in fixed paths but exist in regions of probability called
orbitals.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Orbitals
19. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle – States it’s impossible to know both position and
momentum of an electron exactly.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Heisenberg
20. Orbital Definition – A region around the nucleus where electrons are most likely to be
found.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Region of probability
21. Quantum Numbers – Describe the energy, shape, orientation, and spin of an electron.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Energy and position
22. Difference from Bohr’s Model – Quantum model predicts electron locations by
probability, not fixed orbits.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Predicts probabilities
23. Energy Levels – Are quantized; electrons occupy discrete energy levels, not continuous
ones.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Quantized
24. Most Accurate Model – The quantum mechanical model is the most accurate
representation of atomic structure.
✅ Correct Answer: C – Quantum model
25. Electron Cloud Model – Modern diagrams show probability clouds where electrons may
be found.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Probability clouds
Quantum Mechanical Model & Electron Energies (Items 26–34)
26. Principal Quantum Number (n) – Indicates the energy level or shell of an electron.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Energy level
27. Magnetic Quantum Number (m) – Describes the orientation of an orbital in space.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Orbital orientation
28. Spin Quantum Number – Refers to the direction in which an electron spins (up or
down).
✅ Correct Answer: A – Direction of spin
29. Pauli Exclusion Principle – No two electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum
numbers.
✅ Correct Answer: C – Pauli exclusion principle
30. Aufbau Principle – Electrons fill lower energy levels before higher ones.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Aufbau principle
31. Hund’s Rule – Electrons occupy orbitals singly before pairing to minimize repulsion.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Minimize repulsion
32. Electron Configuration – Shows how electrons are distributed among orbitals.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Distribution of electrons
33. Valence Electrons – Electron configuration helps predict chemical behavior by showing
outermost electrons.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Shows valence electrons
34. Oxygen Configuration – Has 8 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴.
⁴Correct Answer: A – 1s² 2s² 2p⁴
Types of Compounds (Items 35–42)
35. Ionic Bond – Formed between metal and nonmetal through transfer of electrons.
✅ Correct Answer: C – Ionic
36. Covalent Bond – Involves sharing of electrons between two nonmetals.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Covalent
37. Ionic Compounds – Conduct electricity when dissolved in water because of free-moving
ions.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Ionic
38. Covalent Compounds – Usually have low melting points and poor conductivity.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Covalent
39. Example of Ionic Compound – Sodium chloride (NaCl) is ionic, formed from sodium and
chlorine.
✅ Correct Answer: C – NaCl
40. Non-Conductivity of Covalent Compounds – They have no free electrons or ions.
✅ Correct Answer: A – No free electrons or ions
41. Example of Covalent Compound – Water (H₂O) is covalent because atoms share
electrons.
₂Correct Answer: B – H₂ O
42. Ionic Properties – Ionic compounds are soluble in water and conduct electricity in
solution.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Soluble and conductive
Formation of Ions (Items 43–50)
43. Ion – A charged atom formed when electrons are gained or lost.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Charged atom
44. Cation – Atom that loses electrons, resulting in a positive charge.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Cation
45. Anion – Atom that gains electrons, resulting in a negative charge.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Anion
46. Electron Transfer – Electrons are the subatomic particles gained or lost to form ions.
✅ Correct Answer: A – Electron
47. Stability – Atoms form ions to achieve a stable electron configuration, like noble gases.
✅ Correct Answer: A – To become stable
48. Example of +1 Ion – Sodium (Na) loses one electron to form Na⁺.
✅ Correct Answer: C – Sodium
49. Example of -2 Ion – Oxygen gains two electrons to form O²⁻.
✅ Correct Answer: B – Oxygen
50. Sodium Ion Configuration – Sodium (atomic number 11) loses 1 electron → 10 electrons
remain (Na⁺).
✅ Correct Answer: B – 10 electrons