Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

Intext Exercise 1
Question 1:
What are canal rays?

Solution 1:
Canal rays are positively charged radiations. These rays consist of positively charged
particles known as protons. They were discovered by Goldstein in 1886.

Question 2:
If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not?

Solution 2:
An electron is a negatively charged particle, whereas a proton is a positively charged particle.
The magnitude of their charges is equal. Therefore, an atom containing one electron and one
proton will not carry any charge. Thus, it will be a neutral atom.

Intext Exercise 2
Question 1:
On the basis of Thomson’s model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a whole.

Solution 1:
According to Thomson’s model of the atom, an atom consists of both negatively and
positively charged particles. The negatively charged particles are embedded in the positively
charged sphere. These negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude. Thus, by
counterbalancing each other’s effect, they make an atom neutral. Thomson’s model is also
known as Plum pudding model and Water melon model.

Question 2:
On the basis of Rutherford’s model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the
nucleus of an atom?

Solution 2:
On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, protons (positively-charged particles) are
present in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 3:
Draw a sketch of Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells.

Solution 3:
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells

Question 4:
What do you think would be the observation if the α-particle scattering experiment is carried
out using a foil of a metal other than gold?

Solution 4:
If the α-scattering experiment is carried out using a foil of a metal rather than gold, there
would be no change in the observation. In the α-scattering experiment, a gold foil was taken
because gold is malleable and a thin foil of gold can be easily made. It is difficult to make
such foils from other metals.

Intext Exercise 3
Question 1:
Name the three sub-atomic particles of an atom.

Solution 1:
The three sub-atomic particles of an atom are:
(i) Protons (ii) Electrons (iii) Neutrons

Question 2:
Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4 u and two protons in its nucleus. How many neutrons
does it have?

Solution 2:
Helium atom has two neutrons. The mass of an atom is the sum of the masses of protons and
neutrons present in its nucleus. Since helium atom has two protons, mass contributed by the
two protons is (2 × 1) u = 2 u. Then, the remaining mass (4 − 2) u = 2 u is contributed by
2u
 2 neutrons.
1u

Intext Exercise 4
Question 1:
Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms?

Solution 1:
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

The total number of electrons in a carbon atom is 6. The distribution of electrons in carbon
atom is given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 4 electrons
Or, we can write the distribution of electrons in a carbon atom as 2, 4.
The total number of electrons in a sodium atom is 11. The distribution of electrons in sodium
atom is given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 8 electrons
Third orbit or M-shell = 1 electron
Or, we can write distribution of electrons in a sodium atom as 2, 8,1.

Question 2:
If K and L shells of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of electrons in the
atom?

Solution 2:
The maximum number of electrons that can occupy K and L-shells of an atom are 2 and 8
respectively. Therefore, if K and L-shells of an atom are full, then the total number of
electrons in the atom would be (2 + 8) = 10 electrons.

Intext Exercise 5
Question 1:
How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?

Solution 1:
If the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom of an element is less than or
equal to 4, then the valency of the element is equal to the number of electrons in the
outermost shell. On the other hand, if the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the
atom of an element is greater than 4, then the valency of that element is determined by
subtracting the number of electrons in the outermost shell from 8.
The distribution of electrons in chlorine, sulphur, and magnesium atoms are 2, 8, 7; 2, 8, 6
and 2, 8, 2 respectively.
Therefore, the number of electrons in the outer most shell of chlorine, sulphur, and
magnesium atoms are 7, 6, and 2 respectively.
Thus, the valency of chlorine = 8 −7 = 1
The valency of sulphur = 8 − 6 = 2
The valency of magnesium = 2

Intext Exercise 6
Question 1:
If number of electrons in an atom is 8 and number of protons is also 8, then (i) what is the
atomic number of the atom and (ii) what is the charge on the atom?
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

Solution 1:
(i) The atomic number is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the atomic number of the
atom is 8.
(ii) Since the number of both electrons and protons is equal, therefore, the charge on the atom
is 0.

Question 2:
With the help of Table 4.1, find out the mass number of oxygen and sulphur atom.

Solution 2:
Mass number of oxygen = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
=8+8
= 16
Mass number of sulphur = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
= 16 +16
= 32

Intext Exercise 7

Question 1:
For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three sub-atomic particles found in each of them.

Solution 1:

Symbol Proton Neutron Electron

H 1 0 1
D 1 1 1
T 1 2 1

Question 2:
Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.

Solution 2:
12
Two isotopes of carbon are 6 C and 14
6 C.
12
The electronic configuration of 6 C is 2, 4.
14
The electronic configuration of 6 C is 2, 4.
[Isotopes have the same electronic configuration]
40 40
20 Ca and 18 Ar are a pair of isobars
40
The electronic configuration of 20 Ca is 2, 8, 8, 2.
40
The electronic configuration of 18 Ar is 2, 8, 8.
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

NCERT Exercise

Question 1:
Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.

Solution 1:

Electron Proton Neutron

(i) Electrons are present (i) Protons are present in the (i) Neutrons are present in
outside the nucleus of an nucleus of an atom. the nucleus of an atom.
atom.
(ii) Electrons are negatively (ii) Protons are positively (ii) Neutrons are neutral.
charged. charged.
(iii) The mass of an electron (iii) The mass of a proton is (iii) The mass of neutron is
is considered to negligible. approximately 2000 times as nearly equal to the mass of a
the mass of an electron. proton.

Question 2:
What are the limitations of J.J. Thomson’s model of the atom?

Solution 2:
According to J.J. Thomson’s model of an atom, an atom consists of a positively charged
sphere with electrons embedded in it. However, it was later found that the positively charged
particles reside at the centre of the atom called the nucleus, and the electrons revolve around
the nucleus.

Question 3:
What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?

Solution :
According to Rutherford’s model of an atom, electrons revolve around the nucleus in fixed
orbits. But, an electron revolving in circular orbits will not be stable because during
revolution, it will experience acceleration. Due to acceleration, the electrons will lose energy
in the form of radiation and fall into the nucleus. In such a case, the atom would be highly
unstable and collapse.

Question 4:
Describe Bohr’s model of the atom.

Solution 4:
Bohr’s model of the atom
Niels Bohr proposed the following postulates regarding the model of the atom.
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

(i) Only certain orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons are allowed inside the atom.
(ii) While revolving in these discrete orbits, the electrons do not radiate energy.
These discrete orbits or shells are shown in the following diagram.

The first orbit (i.e., for n = 1) is represented by letter K. Similarly, for n = 2, it is L − shell,
for n = 3, it is M − shell and for n = 4, it is N − shell. These orbits or shells are also called
energy levels.

Question 5:
Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.

Solution 5:

Thomson’s model Rutherford’s model Bohr’s model

An atom consists of a An atom consists of a There are only certain orbits
positively charged sphere positively charged particles known as discrete orbits
with electrons embedded in concentrated at the centre inside the atom in which
it. known as the nucleus. The electrons revolve around the
size of the nucleus is very nucleus. Electrons do not
small as compared to the radiate energy while
size of the atom. The revolving.
electrons revolve around the
nucleus in well-defined
orbits.

Question 6:
Summarize the rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for the first
eighteen elements.

Solution 6:
The rules for writing of the distribution of electrons in various shells for the first eighteen
elements are given below.
(i) The maximum number of electrons that a shell can accommodate is given by the formula
‘2n2’, where ‘n’ is the orbit number or energy level index (n = 1, 2, 3…).
The maximum number of electrons present in an orbit of n = 1 is given by 2n2 = 2×12 = 2
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

Similarly, for second orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×22 = 8

For third orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×32 = 18
And so on……
(ii) The outermost orbit can be accommodated by a maximum number of 8 electrons.
(iii) Shells are filled with electrons in a stepwise manner i.e., the outer shell is not occupied
with electrons unless the inner shells are completely filled with electrons.

Question 7:
Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.

Solution 7:
The valency of an element is the combining capacity of that element. The valency of an
element is determined by the number of valence electrons present in the atom of that element.
If the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is less than or equal to four, then
the valency of that element is equal to the number of valence electrons. For example, the
atom of silicon has four valence electrons. Thus, the valency of silicon is four.
On the other hand, if the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is greater
than four, then the valency of that element is obtained by subtracting the number of valence
electrons from eight. For example, the atom of oxygen has six valence electrons. Thus, the
valency of oxygen is (8 − 6) i.e., two.

Question 8:
Explain with examples
(i) Atomic number,
(ii) Mass number,
(iii) Isotopes and
(iv) Isobars. Give any two uses of isotopes.

Solution 8:
(i) Atomic number
The atomic number of an element is the total number of protons present in the atom of that
element. For example, nitrogen has 7 protons in its atom. Thus, the atomic number of
nitrogen is 7.
(ii) Mass number
The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in
the atom of that element. For example, the atom of boron has 5 protons and 6 neutrons. So,
the mass number of boron is 5 + 6 = 11.
(iii) Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number, but different mass
numbers. For example, hydrogen has three isotopes. They are protium  H , deuterium
1
1

 H , and tritium  H
2
1
3
1

(iv) Isobars
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

Isobars are atoms having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers i.e., isobars
are atoms of different elements having the same mass number. For example, 40 40
20 Ca and 18 Ar

are isobars.
Two uses of isotopes are:
(i) One isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
(ii) One isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.

Question 9:
Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.

Solution 9:
An atom of Na has a total of 11 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 1. But, Na+ ion
has one electron less than Na atom i.e., it has 10 electrons. Therefore, 2 electrons go to K-
shell and 8 electrons go to L-shell, thereby completely filling K and L shells.

Question 10:
79 81
If bromine atom is available in the form of, say, two isotopes 35 Br (49.7%) and 35 Br
(50.3%), calculate the average atomic mass of bromine atom.

Solution 10:
79 81
It is given that two isotopes of bromine are 35 Br (49.7%) and 35 Br (50.3%). Then, the
average atomic mass of bromine atom is given by:
49.7 50.3
79   81 
100 100
3926.3 4074.3
 
100 100
8000.6

100
 80.006u
= 80 u (approx.)

Question 11:
The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2 u. What are the percentages of
isotopes 16 18
8 X and 8 X in the sample?

Solution 11:
It is given that the average atomic mass of the sample of element X is 16.2 u.
Let the percentage of isotope 18 16
8 X be y%. Thus, the percentage of isotope 8 X will be

(100 − y) %.
Therefore,
y (100  y)
18   16   16.2
100 100
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

18 y 16(100  y)
   16.2
100 100
18 y  1600  16 y
  16.2
100
 18 y  1600  16 y  1620
 2 y  1600  1620
 2 y  1620  1600
 2 y  20
 y  10
18
Therefore, the percentage of isotope 8 X is 10%.
And, the percentage of isotope 16
8 X is (100 − 10) % = 90%.

Question 12:
If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element? Also, name the element.

Solution 12:
By Z = 3, we mean that the atomic number of the element is 3. Its electronic configuration is
2, 1. Hence, the valency of the element is 1 (since the outermost shell has only one electron).
Therefore, the element with Z = 3 is lithium.

Question 13:
Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species X and Y are given as under X Y
X Y
Protons 6 6
Neutrons 6 8

Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the relation between the two species?

Solution 13:
Mass number of X = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
=6+6
= 12
Mass number of Y = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
=6+8
= 14
These two atomic species X and Y have the same atomic number, but different mass
numbers. Hence, they are isotopes.

Question 14:
For the following statements, write T for ‘True’ and F for ‘False’.
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons.
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is
neutral.
1
(c) The mass of an electron is about times that of proton.
2000
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine.

Solution 14:
(a) False, J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only electrons.
(b) False, A neutron did not formed by an electron and a proton combining together.
Therefore, it is neutral.
1
(c) The mass of an electron is about times that of proton. (T)
2000
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine. (T)

Question 15:
Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus
(b) Electron
(c) Proton
(d) Neutron

Solution 15:
Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus

Question 16:
Isotopes of an element have
(a) the same physical properties
(b) different chemical properties
(c) different number of neutrons
(d) different atomic numbers

Solution 16:
Isotopes of an element have
(c) different number of neutrons

Question 17:
Number of valence electrons in Cl- ion are:
(a) 16
(b) 8
(c) 17
Class IX - NCERT –Physics Structure of the Atom

(d) 18

Solution 17:
Number of valence electrons in Cl- ion are:
(b) 8

Question 18:
Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?
(a) 2, 8
(b) 8, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 8
(d) 2, 8, 1

Solution 18:
(d) The correct electronic configuration of sodium is 2, 8, 1.

Question 19:
Complete the following table.
Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of Name of the
number number Neutrons protons electrons Atomic
species
9 − 10 − − −
16 32 − − − Sulphur
− 24 − 12 − −
− 2 − 1 − −
− 1 0 1 1 −

Solution 19:
Atomic Mass Number of Number of Number of Name of the
number number Neutrons protons electrons Atomic
species
9 19 10 9 9 Fluorine
16 32 16 16 16 Sulphur
12 24 12 12 12 Magnesium
1 2 1 1 1 Deuterium
1 1 0 1 1 Protium