Atomic Structure – Complete Class 11 Notes
1. Introduction to Atomic Structure
• Atom = Nucleus + Electrons
• Nucleus: Protons (+), Neutrons (0)
• Electrons (–) revolve around nucleus
Particle Symbol Charge Mass Location
Electron e⁻ –1 9.11×10⁻³¹ kg Outside nucleus
Proton p⁺ +1 1.67×10⁻²⁷ kg Nucleus
Neutron n⁰ 0 1.67×10⁻²⁷ kg Nucleus
2. Atomic Models
Model Scientist Key Idea Merits Limitations
+ve sphere with
Neutrality No nucleus, no
Thomson J.J. Thomson embedded electrons
explained stability
(plum pudding)
Ernest Dense +ve nucleus, Nuclear Could not explain
Rutherford
Rutherford electrons revolve concept spectra & stability
Electrons in fixed orbits, Explained H- Failed for multi-
Bohr Niels Bohr
quantized energy spectrum electron atoms
Bohr’s Formulas
• Energy of nth orbit: E_n = -13.6 Z²/n² eV
• Radius: r_n = 0.529 n²/Z Å
• Velocity: v_n = 2.18×10⁶ Z/n m/s
• Energy of transition: ΔE = hν
3. Hydrogen Spectrum
• Rydberg equation: 1/λ = R_H (1/n1² - 1/n2²)
• Spectral series:
• Lyman: n1=1, UV
• Balmer: n1=2, Visible
• Paschen: n1=3, IR
• Brackett: n1=4, IR
• Pfund: n1=5, IR
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Example:
Transition n2=3 → n1=2: λ ≈ 656 nm (Hα, red)
4. Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
Concept Formula Key Point
Planck E = hν Energy quantized
Photoelectric effect K.E. = hν - φ Light as particle
de Broglie λ = h/mv Matter has wave nature
Heisenberg Δx · Δp ≥ h/4π Position & momentum cannot be exact
5. Quantum Mechanical Model (Schrödinger
Model)
• Electron as wave-particle, described by ψ
• ψ² = probability density → orbital
Quantum Numbers
Symbol Name Meaning Values
n Principal Shell / energy 1,2,3…
l Azimuthal Subshell / shape 0 → s, 1 → p, 2 → d, 3 → f
m_l Magnetic Orientation −l to +l
m_s Spin Electron spin +½, −½
Orbitals & Max Electrons
Subshell Shape Orbitals Max e⁻
s Sphere 1 2
p Dumbbell 3 6
d Clover 5 10
f Complex 7 14
Rules for Electron Configuration
1. Aufbau Principle: Fill in increasing energy order
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2. Pauli Exclusion Principle: Max 2 e⁻ per orbital, opposite spin
3. Hund’s Rule: Fill degenerate orbitals singly first
Examples: - H → 1s¹ - C → 1s² 2s² 2p² - O → 1s² 2s² 2p⁴ - Fe → [Ar] 4s² 3d⁶
6. Important Constants
Constant Symbol Value
Planck’s constant h 6.626×10⁻³⁴ Js
Speed of light c 3×10⁸ m/s
Rydberg constant R_H 1.097×10⁷ m⁻¹
Electron charge e 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ C
7. Quick Concept Recap
• Atom = Nucleus + electrons
• Bohr model → quantized orbits
• Schrödinger model → electron as wave
• Quantum numbers → n, l, m_l, m_s
• Dual nature → light & matter behave as particle + wave
• Hydrogen spectrum → Lyman, Balmer, Paschen series
• Electron configuration follows Aufbau, Pauli, Hund rules
End of Notes