2.

Structure Of Atom
Sub-atomic particles
Discovery of Electron
Electron was discovered by J J Thomson by Cathode ray discharge tube experiment. A cathode ray tube is
made of glass containing two thin pieces of metal (called electrodes) sealed in it. The electrical discharge through
the gases could be observed only at very low pressures and at very high voltages.

When a very high voltage (about 10,000 volts) is applied between the two electrodes, no electric discharge
occurs at normal pressure. When the pressure of the gas inside the tube is less than 1 mm of mercury, a dark
space appears near the cathode. When the pressure is reduced to 0.01 mm Hg, it fills the whole tube. When the
pressure is further reduced (10-4 mm Hg), the electric discharge passes between the electrodes and the tube
begins to glow. This is due to the striking of some invisible rays from the cathode. These rays which start from the
cathode and move away from it, in straight lines are called cathode rays or cathode ray particles.
These rays can be further checked by making a hole in the anode and coating the tube behind anode with
phosphorescent material like zinc sulphide. When these rays strike the zinc sulphide coating, a bright spot on the
coating is developed.
Properties of Cathode Rays
i. The cathode rays start from cathode and move towards the anode.
ii. They are invisible, but their behaviour can be observed with the help of fluorescent or phosphorescent
materials.
iii. In the absence of electrical or magnetic field, these rays travel in straight lines.
iv. In the presence of electric or magnetic field, the cathode rays behave similar to that of negatively charged
particles. From this it is clear that the cathode rays consist of negatively charged particles called electrons.
v. The characteristics of cathode rays (electrons) do not depend upon the material of electrodes and the
nature of the gas present in the cathode ray tube.
vi. These rays possess kinetic energy and hence can do mechanical work.
vii. They can produce x-rays when incident on metals with high atomic mass.
Charge to Mass Ratio of Electron
J.J. Thomson measured the ratio of electrical charge (e) to the mass of electron (me ) by using cathode ray
tube and applying electrical and magnetic field perpendicular to each other as well as to the path of electrons.

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 In the absence of electric or magnetic field, the cathode rays hit the screen at point B. When only electric
field is applied, the electrons deviate from their path and hit the cathode ray tube at point A. Similarly, when only
magnetic field is applied, electron strikes the cathode ray tube at point C. By carefully balancing the electrical and
magnetic field strength, it is possible to bring back the electron beam to the point B. From the strength of electric
and magnetic field, Thomson was able to calculate the value of e/me as:
e/me = 1.758 × 1011 C kg–1
Where me is the mass of the electron in kg and e is the magnitude of the charge on the electron in coulomb (C).
Charge on the Electron (e)
R.A. Millikan determined the charge on the electrons by a method known as ‘oil drop experiment’. He
found that the charge on the electron to be 1.6022 × 10–19 C.
Mass of electron (me)
The mass of the electron (me) was determined as follows:
Mass of electron (me) = e = 1.6022 x 10-19
e/me 1.758 x 1011
= 9.1 ×10–31 kg
Discovery of Protons
E.Goldstein modified the discharge tube experiment by perforated (with small holes) cathode. After
evacuating the tube and on applying high voltage, he found that some rays were emitting behind the cathode
and moving in the opposite direction of cathode rays. These rays deflect to the negative plate of electric field. So
they carry positive charge and were called anode rays or canal rays.
Properties of Canal rays
The characteristics of canal rays are:
i. They depend on the nature of gas present in the cathode ray tube. These are positively charged gaseous ions.
ii. The charge to mass ratio of these particles depends on the nature of the gas.
iii. Some of the positively charged particles carry a multiple of the fundamental unit of electric charge.
iv. The behaviour of these particles in the magnetic or electrical field is opposite to that observed for cathode rays.
v. They can produce heating effect and can do mechanical work.
vi. They are invisible and can be observed with the help of fluorescent or phosphorescent materials.
vii. They also travel in straight lines.
The smallest and lightest positive ion was obtained from hydrogen and was called proton.
Discovery of Neutrons
Neutrons were discovered by Chadwick by bombarding a thin sheet of beryllium by α-particles.
9
4Be + 2He4 → 6C12 + 0n1
They are electrically neutral particles having mass slightly greater than that of the protons.
Characteristics of sub-atomic particles
Sub atomic Symbol Discoverer Absolute Relative Mass/kg
particle Charge charge
(in Coulomb)
Electron e J J Thomson -1.6022 x 10-19 -1 9.01x10-31
Proton p E.Goldstein +1.6022x10-19 +1 1.6726x10-27
Neutron n James Chadwick 0 0 1.675x10-27

Some important terms relating to Atomic structure

Atomic Number: It is the number of protons present in the nucleus or number of electrons present outside the
nucleus.
It is denoted by the symbol ‘Z’.
Atomic number (Z) = nuclear charge or number of protons (p)
= number of electrons (e)

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Mass Number: It is the total number of protons and neutrons in atom. Or, it is the total number of nucleons in an
atom.
It is denoted by ‘A’.
i.e. Mass number (A) = no. of protons (p) + no. of neutrons (n)
or, A = p + n
By knowing the atomic number and mass number, we can calculate the number of neutrons as: n = A – Z
If an element X has the atomic number Z and the mass number A, it is denoted as: or ZXA
Isotopes, Isobars and Isotones
Isotopes are atoms with same atomic number but different mass number. That is, they contain same
number of protons but different number of neutrons. Hydrogen has three isotopes: Protium (1H1), Deuterium
(1H2 or 1D2) and Tritium (1H3 or 1T3). Among these, Protium is the ordinary hydrogen and Tritium is the radioactive
isotope of Hydrogen.
The number of protons, neutrons and electrons present in the 3 types of hydrogen are:
Isotope Number of protons Number of electrons Number of neutrons
Protium 1 1 0
Deuterium 1 1 1
Tritium 1 1 2
Almost all the elements have isotopes. All the isotopes of a given element have same chemical properties,
but they differ in their physical properties.
Isobars are atoms of different elements having same mass number but different atomic number. i.e. they
have different number of protons but have equal sum of the protons and neutrons.
e.g. 6C14 and 7N14 40
18Ar and 20Ca
40

Isotones are atoms having same number of neutrons but have different atomic numbers. Some examples are:
Isotones p e n
14
6C 6 6 8
15
7N 7 7 8
16
8O 8 8 8
ATOM MODELS
Thomson’s Model of Atom
J. J. Thomson proposed the first atom model, which is known as the plum pudding or raisin pudding or
watermelon model. According to this model, an atom has a spherical shape in which the positive charge is
uniformly distributed. The electrons are distributed in it, just like the seeds are distributed in a water melon or
plums are distributed in a pudding. An important feature of this model is that the mass of the atom is assumed
to be uniformly distributed over the atom. Also the total positive charge in an atom is equal to the total negative
charge and hence the atom is electrically neutral.
Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom
Rutherford proposed an atom model based on his α–particle scattering experiment. He bombarded a very thin
gold foil (approximately 10-7m thickness) with α–particles.
The Experiment: A stream of high energy α–particles from a radioactive source was directed at a thin gold foil.
The thin gold foil had a circular fluorescent zinc sulphide screen around it. Whenever α–particles struck the
screen, a tiny flash of light was produced at that point.

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Observations: The important observations made by Rutherford are:
1. Most of the α– particles passed through the gold foil without any deviation.
2. A small fraction of the α–particles was deflected by small angles.
3. A very few α– particles (∼1 in 20,000) bounced back, that is, were deflected by nearly 180°.
Conclusions: From the above observations, Rutherford made the following conclusions:
1. Since most of the α–particles passed through the foil without any deviation, most space in the atom is
empty.
2. A few positively charged α– particles were deflected. This is because the positive charge of the atom is
concentrated in a very small volume at the centre called nucleus.
3. The volume occupied by the nucleus is negligibly small as compared to the total volume of the atom. The
radius of the atom is about 10–10 m, while that of nucleus is 10–15 m.
On the basis of above observations and conclusions, Rutherford proposed the nuclear model (Planetary
model) of atom. According to this model:
1. All the positive charge and most of the mass of the atom are concentrated in an extremely small region
called nucleus.
2. Electrons are revolving round the nucleus with a very high speed in circular paths called orbits.
3. Electrons and the nucleus are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction.
Drawbacks or Limitations of Rutherford’s atom model
1. Rutherford’s model cannot explain the stability of the atom.
2. He cannot explain the electronic structure of atom.
Wave nature of Electromagnetic Radiation
James Maxwell suggested that when electrically charged particle moves under acceleration, alternating
electrical and magnetic fields are produced and transmitted. These fields are transmitted in the forms of waves
called electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic radiation (emr). These are the radiations associated with
electric and magnetic fields. E.g. light.
The important characteristics of these radiations are:
1. The oscillating electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other and both are perpendicular to
the direction of propagation of the wave.
2. The electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for propagation and can move in vacuum.
3. There are many types of electromagnetic radiations, which differ from one another in wavelength (or
frequency). These constitute electromagnetic spectrum. The important electromagnetic radiations in the
increasing order of wavelength are:
Cosmic rays, Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultra-violet rays, Visible light, Infra red rays, Microwaves, Radio waves.
4. All electromagnetic radiation travel through vacuum with a constant speed of 3x108 m/s.
Some important terms relating to electromagnetic radiations
1. Frequency (ν ): It is defined as the number of waves that pass through a given point in one second. The SI
unit for frequency is hertz (Hz, s–1).
2. Wavelength (λ) : It is the distance between two adjacent crusts or two adjacent troughs. Its unit is m or
cm.
3. Wave number (ῡ ): It is defined as the number of wavelengths per unit length. It is the reciprocal of
wavelength. Its unit is m–1 or cm-1.
The frequency (ν ), speed of light (c) and the wave length (λ)are related to each other as: c = ν λ
Particle Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation: Planck’s Quantum Theory
Some of the experimental phenomenon like diffraction and interference can be explained by the wave
nature of the electromagnetic radiation. But some phenomena like black body radiation, photoelectric effect,
variation of heat capacity of solids with temperature, line spectra of atoms etc. could not be explained by
wave nature of emr.

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 Black body radiation
An ideal body which emits and absorbs all frequencies of radiations is called a black body and the
radiation emitted by such a body is called black body radiation. The frequency distribution of radiation
emitted from a black body depends only on its temperature. At a given temperature, intensity of radiation
emitted increases with decrease of wavelength, reaches a maximum value at a given wavelength and then
starts decreasing.
The phenomenon of black body radiation was first explained by Max Planck by his Quantum theory.
According to this theory:
1. Atoms and molecules could emit (or absorb) energy not in a continuous manner, but discontinuously in
small packets of energy called quanta or photons.
2. The energy (E ) of a quantum of radiation is proportional to its frequency (ν )
It is expressed by the equation, E = hν
Where ‘h’ is known as Planck’s constant and its value is 6.626×10–34 J s.
Photoelectric effect
It is the phenomenon of ejection of electrons by certain metals (like potassium, rubidium, caesium etc.)
when light of suitable frequency incident on them. The electrons ejected are called photoelectrons. This
phenomenon was first observed by H.Hertz. The important characteristics of photoelectric effect are:
1. The electrons are ejected from the metal surface as soon as the beam of light strikes the surface. i.e.,
there is no time lag between the striking of light beam and the ejection of electrons from the metal
surface.
2. The number of electrons ejected is proportional to the intensity or brightness of light.
3. For each metal, there is a minimum frequency (known as threshold frequency [ν0]) below which
photoelectric effect is not observed.
4. The kinetic energy of the ejected electrons is directly proportional to the frequency of the incident light.
Explanation of photoelectric effect
A satisfactory explanation to photoelectric effect was first given by Albert Einstein using Planck’s
Quantum theory. According to him, when a photon of sufficient energy strikes the metal surface, it transfers its
energy to the electron of the atom of the metal instantaneously and the electron is ejected without any time lag.
A part of the energy is used to eject the electron from the metal surface (i.e. to overcome the attractive force of
the nucleus [work function, hν0]) and the other part is given to the ejected electron in the form of kinetic energy.
Greater the energy possessed by the photon, greater will be transfer of energy to the electron and greater the
kinetic energy of the ejected electron.
Since the striking photon has energy equal to hν and the minimum energy required to eject the electron is
hν0 (also called work function, W0) then the difference in energy (hν – hν0) is transferred as the kinetic energy of
the photoelectron.
Following the law of conservation of energy principle, the kinetic energy of the ejected electron is given by
K.E = hν - hν0
Or, hν = hν0 + ½ mev2
Where me is the mass of the electron and v is the velocity of the ejected electron.
A more intense beam of light contains larger number of photons, so the number of electrons ejected is also
larger.
Dual Behaviour of Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiations possess both particle and wave nature. This is known as dual nature of
Electromagnetic Radiation.
Atomic spectrum
When a ray of white light is passed through a prism, we get a series of coloured bands called spectrum.
This spectrum is called continuous spectrum, because here violet merges into blue, blue into green and so on.

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 Similarly, when electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter, atoms and molecules may absorb energy
and reach to a higher energy unstable state. To attain stability, they emit radiations in the form of spectrum.
Such a spectrum is called atomic spectrum.
Emission and Absorption Spectra
The spectrum of radiation emitted by a substance that has absorbed energy is called an emission
spectrum. Atoms, molecules or ions that have absorbed radiation are said to be “excited”. To produce an
emission spectrum, energy is supplied to a sample by heating it or irradiating it and the wavelength (or
frequency) of the radiation emitted is recorded.
An absorption spectrum is like the photographic negative of an emission spectrum. Here a continuum of
radiation (like white light) is passed through a sample which absorbs radiation of certain wavelengths. The
missing wavelengths leave dark spaces in the bright continuous spectrum.
The study of emission or absorption spectra is referred to as spectroscopy.
The emission spectra of atoms in the gas phase do not form a continuous spectrum. The excited atoms
emit light only at specific wavelengths with dark spaces between them. Such spectra are called line spectra or
atomic spectra.
Line emission spectra are very useful in the study of electronic structure of atoms. Each element has a
unique line emission spectrum. The characteristic lines in atomic spectra can be used in chemical analysis to
identify unknown atoms in the same way as finger prints are used to identify people. So line emission spectra
are also called finger print of atoms.
Line Spectrum of Hydrogen
When an electric discharge is passed through gaseous hydrogen, the H2 molecules dissociate and the
energetically excited hydrogen atoms produced emit electromagnetic radiation of discrete frequencies. The
hydrogen spectrum consists of several series of lines named after their discoverers. The first five series of lines
are Lyman, Balmer, Paschen, Brackett and Pfund series. Among these lines, the Balmer series is the only series
that we can be visible (since it lies in the visible region of emr).
Johannes Rydberg proposed an equation for finding the wave number of the different lines in Hydrogen
spectrum.
The expression is:
ῡ = 1/ λ = 109677 (1/n12 -1/n22) cm-1
Where n1 = 1, 2, 3,….. and n2 = n1 + 1, n1 + 2, ……
The different spectral lines, their n1 and n2 values and their spectral region are:

Series Spectral n1 n2
region
Lyman Ultra violet 1 2,3,4….
Balmer Visible 2 3,4,5….
Paschen Infra red 3 4,5,6…..
Brackett Infra red 4 5,6,7….
Pfund Infra red 5 6,7,8…..

BOHR’S MODEL FOR HYDROGEN ATOM

The general features of the structure of hydrogen atom and its spectrum was first explained by Niels
Bohr. The important postulates of his theory are:
1. The electron in the hydrogen atom can move around the nucleus in circular paths of fixed radius and
energy. These paths are called orbits or stationary states or allowed energy states. These energy levels
are numbered as 1,2,3 etc or as K, L, M, N, etc. These numbers are known as Principal quantum numbers.
2. The energy of an electron in an orbit does not change with time. However, when an electron absorbs
energy, it will move away from the nucleus (i.e. to a higher energy level) and when it loses energy, it will
move towards the nucleus (i.e. to a lower energy level).

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 3. The radius of orbits can be given by the equation: rn = a0 n2 where a0 = 52.9 pm.
Thus the radius of the first stationary state is 52.9 pm (called the Bohr radius). As n increases, the value of
r will increase.
4. The energy of electron in an orbit is given by the expression: En = -RH (1/n2), where n = 1,2,3…… and RH is a
constant called Rydberg constant. Its value is 2.18x10-18 J. The energy of the lowest state (the ground
state) is given by E1 = –2.18×10–18J. As the value of n increases, the energy of the electron also increases.
5. The frequency of radiation absorbed or emitted when transition occurs between two stationary states
that differ in energy by ΔE, is given by:
ν = ΔE = E2 – E1
h h
Where E1 and E2 are the energies of lower and higher energy levels respectively. This expression is commonly
known as Bohr’s frequency rule.
6. The angular momentum of an electron is an integral multiple of h/2π. i.e. mevr = nh
2π
Where me is the mass of electron, v is the velocity of electron and r is the radius of Bohr orbit. n =
1,2,3......... Thus an electron can move only in those orbits whose angular momentum is an integral multiple of
h/2π. So only certain fixed orbits are allowed.
Significance of negative energy of electron
When the electron is free from the influence of nucleus, its energy is taken as zero. In this situation, the
electron is at the orbit with n = ∞. When the electron is attracted by the nucleus and is present in orbit n, the
energy is emitted and its energy is lowered. That is the reason for the presence of negative sign in equation.
Explanation of Line Spectrum of Hydrogen
According to Bohr atom model, radiation is absorbed if the electron moves from lower energy to higher
energy level and radiation is emitted if the electron moves from higher orbit to lower orbit. The energy gap
between the two orbits is given by equation:
ΔE = E2 – E1
But E1 = -RH and E2 = -RH
n 12 n 22
Therefore, ΔE = RH [1/n12 – 1/n22]
= 2.18 x 10-18 [1/n12 – 1/n22]
The frequency associated with the absorption and emission of the photon can be given as
ν = ΔE = RH 1 – 1
h h n12 n22
= 2.18 x 10-18 1 - 1
6.626 x 10-34 n12 n22

= 3.29 x 1015 [1/n12 – 1/n22]

The wave number (ῡ) = 1/ λ = ν = RH 1 - 1
c hc n 12 n 22

= 3.29 x 1015 1 - 1
3 x 108 n 12 n 22

= 1.09677 x 107 1 - 1 m-1 = 109677 1 - 1 cm-1

n 12 n 22 n12 n22

In case of absorption spectrum, n2 > n1 and the term in the bracket is positive and energy is absorbed. On
the other hand, in case of emission spectrum n1 > n2, ΔE is negative and energy is released.

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Limitations of Bohr Atom Model: Bohr atom model could explain the stability and line spectra of hydrogen atom
and hydrogen like ions (e.g. He+, Li2+, Be3+ etc). But it has the following limitations:
1. It could not explain the fine spectrum of hydrogen atom.
2. It could not explain the spectrum of atoms other than hydrogen.
3. It was unable to explain the splitting of spectral lines in the presence of electric field (Stark effect) and in
magnetic field (Zeeman effect).
4. It could not explain the ability of atoms to form molecules by chemical bonds.
5. It did not consider the wave character of matter and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.

Dual Behaviour of Matter – de Broglie’s equation

de Broglie proposed that like radiation, matter also exhibit dual behaviour i.e., both particle and wave like
properties. This means that electrons should also have momentum as well as wavelength. He gave the following
relation between wavelength (λ) and momentum (p) of a material particle.
λ= h = h
mv p Where m is the mass of the particle, v is the velocity and p is the momentum. The
above equation is known as de Broglie’s equation.
Just like electromagnetic radiations, an electron beam also undergoes diffraction. This is an evidence for
the wave nature of electrons. An electron microscope works on the principle of wave nature of electron.
According to de Broglie, every moving object has a wave character. The wavelengths associated with
ordinary objects are so short (because of their large masses) that their wave properties cannot be detected. The
wavelengths associated with electrons and other subatomic particles (with very small mass) can be detected
experimentally.
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle
Werner Heisenberg proposed the uncertainty principle which is the consequence of dual behaviour of matter
and radiation. It states that “it is impossible to determine simultaneously, the exact position and exact
momentum (or velocity) of a moving microscopic particle like electron”.
Mathematically, it can be given as in equation:
Δx. Δp ≥ h
4π
Or, Δx.mΔv ≥ h
4π

Or, Δx.Δv ≥ h
4πm
Where Δx is the uncertainty in position and Δp (or, Δv) is the uncertainty in momentum (or velocity) of the
particle.
If the position of the electron is known with high degree of accuracy (Δx is small), then the velocity of the
electron will be uncertain [Δv is large] and vice versa.
Significance of Uncertainty Principle
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is significant only for motion of microscopic objects and is not applicable
to macroscopic objects. According to this Principle, we cannot determine the exact position and momentum of
an electron. Thus it rules out the existance of definite paths or orbits of electrons. We can only say the
probability of finding an electron at a given point.
Reasons for the Failure of the Bohr Model
In Bohr model, electrons are moving in well defined circular orbits about the nucleus. The wave character
of the electron is not considered in Bohr model. Further, an orbit is a clearly defined path and this path can
completely be defined only if both the position and the velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same
time. This is not possible according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Therefore, Bohr model of the
hydrogen atom not only ignores dual behaviour of matter but also contradicts Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

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QUANTUM MECHANICAL MODEL OF ATOM
On the basis of dual nature of matter and the uncertainty principle, Erwin Schrodinger and Werner
Heisenberg proposed a new model of atom called Quantum mechanics. The fundamental equation of quantum
mechanics was developed by Schrödinger and is known as Schrödinger equation. It is written as:
Ĥ ψ = Eψ
where Ĥ is a mathematical operator called Hamiltonian operator, E is the total energy of the system (K.E + P.E)
and ψ is called the wave function. On solving the above equation, we get different values for E and ψ.
When Schrödinger equation is solved for hydrogen atom, the solution gives the possible energy levels the
electron can occupy and the corresponding wave function (ψ). These quantized energy states and corresponding
wave functions are characterized by a set of three quantum numbers.
Significance of ψ
The wave function (ψ) is a mathematical function and it has no physical meaning. Wave functions of
hydrogen or hydrogen like species with one electron are called atomic orbitals. All the information about the
electron in an atom is stored in its orbital wave function ψ. It may be positive or negative.
But ψ2 has some physical significance. It gives the probability of finding an electron at a point within an
atom. So ψ2 is known as probability density and is always positive. From the value of ψ2, it is possible to predict
the probability of finding the electron around the nucleus.
Quantum Numbers
These are certain numbers used to explain the size, shape and orientation of orbitals. Or, Quantum
numbers are the address of an electron. There are four quantum numbers which describe the electron in an
atom. They are Principal Quantum number (n), Azimuthal Quantum number (Ɩ), Magnetic Quantum number (m
or mƖ) and Spin Quantum number (s)
1. Principal Quantum Number (n)
The following informations are obtained from n.
1. It gives the size the orbit.
2. It gives the energy of electron in an orbit.
3. It gives the shell in which the electron is found.
4. It also gives the average distance between the electron and the nucleus. As the value of n increases, the
distance between the electron and the nucleus also increases.
The possible values of n are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.
If n = 1 the electron is in K shell
n = 2 the electron is in L shell
n = 3 the electron is in M shell and so on.
2. Azimuthal Quantum Number [Subsidiary or orbital angular momentum Quantum number] (Ɩ)
The following informations are obtained from Ɩ.
1. It gives the shape of the orbital.
2. It gives the sub shell or sub level in which the electron is located.
3. It also gives the orbital angular momentum of the electron.
For a given value of n, Ɩ can have n values ranging from 0 to n – 1. That is, for a given value of n, the possible
value of Ɩ are : Ɩ = 0, 1, 2, .......... (n-1).
For example, when n = 1, value of Ɩ is only 0. For n = 2, the possible value of Ɩ can be 0 and 1. For n = 3, the
possible Ɩ values are 0,1 and 2.
Ɩ= 0 represents s orbital, Ɩ = 1 represents p orbital, Ɩ = 2 represents d orbital and Ɩ = 3 represents f orbital
The number of sub shells in a principal shell is equal to the value of n. For example,
When n = 1, Ɩ= 0. i.e. K shell contains only one sub shell - s sub shell
when n = 2, Ɩ = 0 and1. i.e. L shell contains two sub shells - s and p sub shells
when n = 3, Ɩ = 0, 1 and 2. i.e. M shell contains three sub shells – s, p and d sub shells
when n = 4, Ɩ = 0, 1, 2 and 3. i.e. N shell contains four sub shells – s, p,d and f sub shells

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3. Magnetic Quantum Number (m or mƖ)
It gives information about the orientation of orbitals in space. For a given ‘Ɩ’ value, there are 2Ɩ+1 possible
values for m and these values are given by :
m = – Ɩ to 0 to + Ɩ
Thus for Ɩ = 0, mƖ = 0 [2(0)+1 = 1].. i.e. s sub shell contains only one orbital called s orbital.
For Ɩ = 1, mƖ = –1, 0 and +1 [2(1)+1 = 3]. i.e. p subshell contains three orbitals called p orbitals (px, py and pz).
For Ɩ = 2, mƖ = –2, –1, 0, +1 and +2, [2(2)+1 = 5]. i.e. d subshell contains five orbitals called d orbitals (dxy, dxz, dyz,
dx2- y2 and dz2)
4. Spin Quantum Number (s or ms)
It is the only experimental Quantum number and it gives the spin orientation of electrons. This spin may
be either clockwise or anticlockwise. So the values for s may be +½ or -½. +½ represents clock-wise spin and-½
represents anticlock-wise spin.
Shapes of orbitals
1. s-orbitals
For s-orbitals, Ɩ = 0 and hence mƖ = 0. So there is only one possible orientation for s orbitals. They are
spherically symmetrical. The plots of probability density (ψ2) against distance from the nucleus (r) for 1s and 2s
atomic orbitals are as follows:

For 1s orbital the probability density is maximum at the nucleus and it decreases with increase in r. But
for 2s orbital the probability density first decreases sharply to zero and again starts increasing. After reaching a
small maximum it decreases again and approaches zero as the value of r increases. The region where the
probability density (ψ2) reduces to zero is called nodal surface or node.
For 1s orbital, there is no node, for 2s orbital there is only one node, for 3s orbital there are 2 nodes and
so on. In general, for an ns-orbital there are (n – 1) nodes.
All the s-orbitals are spherically symmetrical and their size increases with increase in n. The boundary
surface diagrams for 1s, 2sand 3s orbitals are as follows:

2. p-orbitals
For p-orbitals, Ɩ = 1 and mƖ = -1, 0, +1. i.e., there are three possible orientations for p orbitals. So there are
3 types of p-orbitals – px, py and pz. Each p orbital consists of two lobes. The probability density function is zero
on the plane where the two lobes touch each other.

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 The size, shape and energy of the three orbitals are identical. They differ only in the orientation of the lobes.
For px orbital, the lobes are along the x-axis,
axis, for py, they are along the y-axis and for pz, they are along the z-axis.
z
All the p-orbitals have dumb-bell shape.
The number of radial nodes for p-orbitals
orbitals are given by (n –2),, that is number of radial node is 1 for
fo 3p orbital,
two for 4p orbital and so on. Besides the radial nodes
nodes, the probability density functions for the np orbitals are
zero at the plane, passing through the nucleus (origin). For example, in the case of pz orbital, xy-plane
xy is a nodal
plane. These are called angular nodes and number of angular nodes is given by ‘Ɩ’.
Number of radial nodes = n - Ɩ – 1
Number of angular nodes = Ɩ
Total number of nodes = n-1
The boundary surface diagrams for three 2p orbitals are as follows:

3. d-orbitals
For d-orbitals, Ɩ = 2 and mƖ = -2, -1,
1, 0, +1 and +2. i.e., there are five possible orientations for d orbitals. So
there are 5 types of d-orbitals. They are dxy, dxz, dyz, dx2- y2 and dz2. The shapes of the first four d-orbitals
d are
2
double dumb-bell and that of the fifth one, dz , is dumb-bell bell having a circular collar in the xy-plane.
xy The five d-
orbitals have equivalent energies. For d-orbitals
orbitals the number of radial nodes is 2 and the total number of nodes is
n-2. Boundary surface diagrams for d-orbitals
orbitals are as follows:

4. f-orbitals
For f-orbitals, Ɩ = 3 and mƖ = -3, -2,
2, -1,
1, 0, +1, +2 and +3. i.e., there are seven possible orientations for f
orbitals. So there are 7 types of f--orbitals. They are fx3, fy3, fz3, fx(y2-z2), fy(z2-x2), fz(x2-y2) and fxyz. They
have diffused shapes.

GHSS ASHTAMUDI Structure of Atom Page 11

Rules for Filling of electrons in various orbitals
The filling of electrons into the orbitals of different atoms takes place according to the 3 rules - aufbau
principle, Pauli’s exclusion principle and the Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity.

1. Aufbau principle:
The German word aufbau means ‘build up’. The building up of orbitals means the filling up of orbitals with
electrons. It states that the orbitals are filled in order of their increasing energies. In other words, electrons first
occupy the lowest energy orbital and then to higher energy orbitals.
This rule has two sub rules:
a) The various orbitals are filled in the increasing order of their (n+Ɩ) value.
b) If two orbitals have the same (n+Ɩ) values, the orbital with the lower n value is filled first.
The increasing order of orbitals is as follows:
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s...

2. Pauli’s Exclusion Principle

It states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. i.e. an
orbital can accommodate a maximum of only 2 electrons with opposite spin.
If 2 electrons have same values for n, Ɩ and m, they should have different values for s. i.e. if s = +½ for the
first electron, it should be -½ for the second electron.
3. Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity
It states that electron pairing takes place only after partially filling all the degenerate orbitals. Orbitals
having same energies are called degenerate orbitals. For example the electronic configuration of N is 1s2 2s2
2px1py1pz1 and not 1s2 2s2 2px2py1.
Electronic Configuration of Atoms
The distribution of electrons into various orbitals of an atom is called its electronic configuration. The
electronic configuration of different atoms can be represented in two ways.
(i) sa pb dc ...... notation
(ii) Orbital diagram
The electrons in the completely filled shells are known as core electrons and the electrons in the outer
most shell are called valence electrons.
Stability of Completely Filled and Half Filled Subshells
For atoms having half filled or completely filled electronic configurations have extra stability compared to
other atoms. This is due to their symmetrical distribution of electrons and greater exchange energy. For example,
the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d54s1 and not 3d44s2. This is because d5 represents a half filled
configuration and has extra stability. Similarly for Cu the electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d104s1 and not 3d94s2.

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GHSS ASHTAMUDI Structure of Atom Page 12