Atomic Structure and The Periodic Table (Part A)

Chemistry Unit 1
Topic: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table (Part A)

At the end of this lesson students should be able to:
1. discuss the process of theoretical change with
respect to Dalton's atomic theory
Objectives 2.
3.
describe the structure of the atom
define the following terms: (i) mass number; (ii)
isotopes; (iii) relative atomic and isotopic masses
based on the C-12 scale.
The Atomic theory
• Maraj, S. and Samai, A., (2011) state that “a theory is substituted for those parts of
reality that are not yet discovered or understood and proposes an explanation for a
phenomenon”. That is, a theory is a system of ideas which explains general principles
(known as laws). Theories are well-established explanations for experimental data.
• In order for (scientific) theories to be accepted, they must be logical and show
congruence between the present body of knowledge and the theoretical constructs.
• The data collected should be accurate, reliable and replicable to overcome
contradictions within the scientific community. Also, a general consensus must be
reached within the scientific community before a theory is accepted.
The Atomic • A theory is:
- valid as long as there is no evidence to
theory dispute it
- usually can not be proven, but can be
(continued) disproven (falsifiable)
History of the Atomic Theory
History of the Atomic Theory (supplementary
videos)
• In the early 1800s, John Dalton, an English
schoolteacher and chemist (1766–1844),
proposed a new atomic theory. Unlike the
ideas proposed by the Greeks, Dalton’s
work consisted of statements about the
atom that could be tested through
Dalton’s experiments. He carried out experiments
in which he combined elements in
Atomic Theory different ratios to form compounds. He

noticed that certain patterns resulted. For
example, when he combined hydrogen
with oxygen to form water, the ratio of the
mass of oxygen to the mass of hydrogen
was 8:1, whereas in hydrogen peroxide,
the ratio of the mass of oxygen to the mass
of hydrogen was 16:1.
■ all matter is composed of
On the basis of these and other
tiny indestructible particles
experiments, he
called atoms that cannot be
proposed/postulated the
created, destroyed or
following:
subdivided (indivisible);
Dalton’s
Atomic ■ atoms of one element
■ all atoms of a given element
or same element are identical,
Theory
cannot be converted into in mass and other properties,
atoms of another element; and are different from atoms of
any other elements;
(Continued)
■ atoms can combine with
each other in more than one
simple whole number ratios to
form compounds.
Dalton’s theory could not explain the following:
■ why elements combined in the specific ratios
observed;
■ the electrical nature of particles, which were
Limitations being observed in other experiments.
to Dalton’s TWO errors in Dalton’s Theory:

Atomic 1. Atoms are indestructible or indivisible
• Atoms can be sub-divided into subatomic
Theory particles (Protons, Electrons, Neutrons)
• Atoms can be destroyed by nuclear

reactions (splitting of the nucleus)
Limitations 2. Atoms of the same elements are identical in
mass & properties
to Dalton’s • Isotopes of atoms exist which have different
properties
Atomic
Theory • Isotopes have different masses
(Continued)
Dalton’s theory What is now known
Limitations to Matter consists of tiny indivisible particles

(atoms) that cannot be created or destroyed.
Atoms are not indivisible and are
composed of sub-atomic particles.
Dalton’s
Atomic
Atoms of one element cannot be converted into During a chemical reaction this idea is
atoms of another element. During a chemical true. However, in nuclear reactions atoms
reaction, reacting molecules separate into of one element can change into atoms
atoms that recombine to form different another element.
Theory molecules.
(Continued)
Atoms of a given element are identical in mass Atoms of an element can have slight
and other properties and are different from differences in their mass and properties.
atoms of any another element Isotopes will be discussed later in this
chapter
Atoms of different elements combine with each True for most compounds, but there are a
other in simple specific whole number ratios to few compounds in which there are slight
give combined atoms (molecules). This is the variations in their atomic ratios
law of multiple proportions.
Activity 1
Instruction:
After researching briefly explain, in chronological order, how at least
eight (8) scientists made changes to Dalton’s atomic theory through
their discoveries.
Structure of
the atom
Atomic Structure
• Atoms are electrically neutral species
- Contains equal numbers of Protons and Electrons
- Neutrons are uncharged
• Nucleus
- Contains protons and neutrons
- Held by powerful nuclear forces
• Electrons
- Orbit the nucleus
Subatomic Particles
• Mass of subatomic particles is measured relative to one
twelfth of the mass of a carbon-12 isotope
• Charge is relative to proton and electron
Particles Relative Mass Relative Charge Location
Proton 1 +1 Nucleus
Neutron 1 0 Nucleus
Electron 1/1837 –1 Orbital

• Electrons (lightest) are deflected at large angles to the positive
(+) poles
• Protons (heaviest) are deflected at smaller angles towards the

negative (–) poles
• Neutrons (uncharged) continue undeflected through the field

Behaviour of
subatomic particles
in an Electric (or
Magnetic) field
Excerpt
taken from
CAPE study
Guide (page
3)
Behaviour of subatomic particles in an
Electric (or Magnetic) field
 Use Fleming’s left hand rule

 the Xes in the diagram represent magnetic field
going into the paper
 Lighter particles are deflected more compared
to the heavier particles
Excerpt taken from
CAPE study Guide (page
3)
Excerpt
taken from
CAPE study
Guide (page
3)
Definitions
• Atomic Number (Proton number)

- Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
• Mass Number (Atomic Mass/Nucleon Number)

- sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atoms
• Relative Isotopic Mass

- the ratio of the mass of one atom of that isotope to one twelfth of the
mass of one atom of carbon-12 isotope
• Relative Atomic Mass

- the ratio of the average mass of one atom of an element to one twelfth
of the mass of an atom of carbon-12 isotope
Isotopes
• Atoms of an element that have the same

atomic number but different mass numbers
• Same number of protons but different number

of neutrons
• Identical chemical properties (same number of

electrons)
• Different physical properties (different masses)

Atomic
Element Isotope Number Neutrons Mass
Number
(Protons)
Hydrogen-1 1 0 1
Hydrogen Hydrogen-2 1 1 2
Hydrogen-3 1 2 3
Isotopes Carbon
Carbon-12
Carbon-13
6
6
6
7
12
13
Chlorine-35 17 18 35
Chlorine
Chlorine-37 17 20 37
Bromine-79 35 44 79
Bromine
Bromine-81 35 46 81
• The relative abundance of each isotope in a
given element is the ratio or percentages in
which they exist in the world
Relative Isotopic • Relative isotopic abundances are used to

calculate the Relative Atomic Mass of
Abundance elements in the periodic table
The mass of an element depends on the relative

abundance of its isotopes
Excerpt
taken from
CAPE
study Guide
(page 4)
References (Not in any
standard format)
1. Chemistry for CAPE by Susan Maraj and

Arnold Samai
2. CXC Study Guide Chemistry Unit 1 for CAPE by
Roger Norris et al
3. Chemistry for CAPE Examinations by Helen
Jacobs et al
4. You Tube

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Chemistry Unit 1

Topic: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table (Part A)

Atomic Theory different ratios to form compounds. He

to Dalton’s TWO errors in Dalton’s Theory:

• Atoms can be destroyed by nuclear

Limitations to Matter consists of tiny indivisible particles

Particles Relative Mass Relative Charge Location

Electron 1/1837 –1 Orbital

• Protons (heaviest) are deflected at smaller angles towards the

• Neutrons (uncharged) continue undeflected through the field

 Use Fleming’s left hand rule

• Atomic Number (Proton number)

• Mass Number (Atomic Mass/Nucleon Number)

• Relative Isotopic Mass

• Relative Atomic Mass

• Atoms of an element that have the same

• Same number of protons but different number

• Identical chemical properties (same number of

• Different physical properties (different masses)

Relative Isotopic • Relative isotopic abundances are used to

The mass of an element depends on the relative

1. Chemistry for CAPE by Susan Maraj and

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