cl9ch4sc

CLASS 9 CHAPTER – 4
STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM
In 1866 E. Goldstein discovered the presence of new radiations in a gas discharge tube and called them
canal rays. These rays were positively charged radiations which led to the discovery of sub-atomic
particle called proton. Its mass was approximately 2000 times as that of the electron.
In 1900 J.J. Thomson discovered the sub-atomic particle called the electron with a negative charge.
an electron is represented as ‘e– ’ and a proton as ‘p+ ’.
The Structure of an Atom :
THOMSON’S MODEL OF AN ATOM : Thomson proposed the model of an atom to be similar to that of a
Christmas pudding. The electrons, in a sphere of positive charge, were like currants (dry fruits) in a
spherical Christmas pudding. We can also think of a watermelon, the positive charge in the atom is
spread all over like the red edible part of the watermelon, while the electrons are studded in the
positively charged sphere, like the seeds in the watermelon.
Thomson proposed that:
-> An atom consists of a positively charged sphere and the electrons are embedded in it.
-> The negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude. So, the atom as a whole is electrically
neutral.
RUTHERFORD’S MODEL OF AN ATOM : Ernest Rutherford was interested in knowing how the electrons
are arranged within an atom. Rutherford designed an experiment for this .In this experiment, fast
moving alpha (α)-particles were made to fall on a thin gold foil.
• He selected a gold foil because he wanted as thin a layer as possible. This gold foil was about 1000
atoms thick.
• α-particles are doubly-charged helium ions. Since they have a mass of 4 u, the fast-moving α-particles
have a considerable amount of energy.
• It was expected that α-particles would be deflected by the sub-atomic particles in the gold atoms.
Since the α-particles were much heavier than the protons, he did not expect to see large deflections.
Observations made from Rutherford’s experiment :
Most of the fast moving α-particles passed straight through the gold foil.
Some of the α-particles were deflected by the foil by small angles.

Surprisingly one out of every 12000 particles appeared to rebound.
Rutherford concluded the model of the atom from the α-particle scattering experiment as:
(i) There is a positively charged centre in an atom called the nucleus. Nearly all the mass of an atom
resides in the nucleus.
(ii) The electrons revolve around the nucleus in well-defined orbits.
(iii) The size of the nucleus is very small as compared to the size of the atom
Drawbacks of Rutherford’s model
 He explained that the electrons in an atom revolve around the nucleus in well-defined orbits.
Particles in a circular orbit would experience acceleration.
 Thus, the revolving electron would lose energy and finally fall into the nucleus.
 But this cannot take place as the atom would be unstable and matter would not exist in the
form we know.
BOHR’S MODEL OF ATOM
Neils Bohr put forward the following postulates about the model of an atom:
Only certain special orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons, are allowed inside the atom.
While revolving in discrete orbits the electrons do not radiate energy.

orbits or shells are called energy levels. orbits or shells are represented by the letters K,L,M,N,… or the
numbers, n=1,2,3,4,…
NEUTRONS : In 1932, J. Chadwick discovered another subatomic particle which had no charge and a
mass nearly equal to that of a proton. It was eventually named as neutron.
Neutrons are present in the nucleus of all atoms, except hydrogen. In general, a neutron is represented
as ‘n’
How are Electrons Distributed in Different Orbits : The distribution was suggested by Bohr and Bury;
 The maximum number of electrons present in a shell is given by the formula 2n 2, where ‘n’ is the
orbit number or energy level index, 1,2,3,….
 The maximum number of electrons in different shells are as follows: the first orbit will have
2*12=2, the second orbit will have 2*2Msup>2=8, the third orbit will have 2*3 2=18, fourth orbit
2*42=32 and so on.
 The shells are always filled in a step-wise manner from the lower to higher energy levels.
Electrons are not filled in the next shell unless previous shells are filled.
Valency : The electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are known as the valence electrons.
The combining capacity of the atoms or their tendency to react and form molecules with atoms of the
same or different elements is known as valency of the atom.
Atomic Number : The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom is termed as the atomic
number. It is denoted by the letter ‘Z’.
MASS NUMBER : Protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus, so the mass number is the total of
these protons and neutrons.
ISOTOPS : Isotopes are defined as the atoms of the same element, having the same atomic number
( number of protons ) but different mass numbers .
For example, take the case of hydrogen atom, it has three atomic species, namely protium deuterium
and tritium .
Application of isotops : (i) An isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.

(ii) An isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.
(iii) An isotope of iodine is used in the treatment of goitre.
ISOBARS : Atoms of different elements with different atomic numbers, which have the same mass
number, are known as isobars.
For example, Calcium and Argon
Calculation of mass number for isotopic elements :
When an element has an isotope, the mass number can be calculated by the different proportions it
exists in.
For example take 98% Carbon-12u and 2% Carbon-13u
This does not mean that any Carbon atoms exists with the mass number of 12.02u. If you take a certain
amount of Carbon, it will contain both isotopes of Carbon, and the average mass is 12.02 u.
canal rays : Canal rays are positively charged radiations which led to the discovery of positively charged
sub-atomic particle called proton

cl9ch4sc

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

cl9ch4sc

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

cl9ch4sc

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CLASS 9 CHAPTER – 4

STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM

an electron is represented as ‘e– ’ and a proton as ‘p+ ’.

The Structure of an Atom :

Thomson proposed that:

Observations made from Rutherford’s experiment :

Some of the α-particles were deflected by the foil by small angles.

Surprisingly one out of every 12000 particles appeared to rebound.

Drawbacks of Rutherford’s model

BOHR’S MODEL OF ATOM

While revolving in discrete orbits the electrons do not radiate energy.

Application of isotops : (i) An isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.

(ii) An isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.

(iii) An isotope of iodine is used in the treatment of goitre.

Calculation of mass number for isotopic elements :

You might also like