Houston Community College System Chemistry 1405

Chapter 2
Atomic Structure

By
Mounia Elamrani

Blei / Odian’s General, Organic, and Biochemistry

Objectives
 Percent composition
 Dalton’s atomic Theory
 Constant composition of matter and
conservation of mass
 Atomic mass
 Atomic structure
 Periodic table and properties of elements
 Electron configuration and the valence shells
 Octet rule

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

The early atomic theory 2.1
 The concept of the atom had limited scientific
usefulness until the discovery of two
important laws in 18th and 19th centuries:
 The Law of conservation of mass: No detectable
gain or loss of mass occurs in chemical reactions.
Mass is conserved.

 The Law of constant composition: In a given

chemical compound, the elements are always
combined in the same proportions by mass.

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Percent composition 2.1
 The usual form for describing the relative
masses of the elements in a compound is a
list of percentages by mass, called the
percent composition
 It is the number of grams of the element in
100 g of the compound and can be calculated
using:

% element = mass of element

mass of whole sample × 100%

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Example
 Analysis of 4.800g of niacin, one of the B-
complex vitamins, yields 2.810g of C, 0.1954g
of H, 0.5462g of N, and 1.249g of O. Calculate
the mass percent of each element in the
compound. 2.810 g C
% C = 4.800 g sample ×100% = 58.54 %
%H= 0.1954 g H
4.800 g sample ×100% = 4.071 %
%N= 0.5462 g N
4.800 g sample ×100% = 11.38 %
%O= 1.249 g O
0.5462 g sample ×100% = 26.02 %
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Dalton 2.2’s Atomic Theory
 Matter consists of tiny particles called atoms.
 In chemical reactions, the atoms rearrange but
they do not themselves break apart.
 In any sample of a pure element, all the atoms
are identical in mass and other properties.
 The atoms of different elements differ in mass
and other properties.
 In a given compound the constituent atoms are
always present in the same fixed numerical ratio.

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Atomic Mass 2.3
 It follows from Dalton’s Atomic Theory that
atoms of an element have a constant,
characteristic atomic mass or atomic
weight

 For example, for any sample of hydrogen

fluoride:
 F-to-H atom ratio: 1 to 1
 F-to-H mass ratio: 19.0 to 1.00
 This is only possible if each fluorine atom is
19.0 times heavier than each hydrogen atom

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

)Atomic Mass Units )amu, u 2.3
 Atoms have extremely small masses. The
mass of the heaviest known atom is about 4 x
10-22 g.

 We define the atomic mass unit, amu, using

Carbon-12 as the standard:
 1 atom of carbon-12 = 12 u (exactly)
 1 u = 1/12 of mass of 1 atom of carbon-12 (exactly)

 This definition results in the assignment of

approximately 1 u for the mass of hydrogen
(the lightest atom)

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

The structure of atoms 2.4
 Experiments have been performed that show
atoms are comprised of subatomic particles
 There are three principal kinds of subatomic
particles:
 Proton )p) – carries a positive charge, found in the
nucleus, mass≃1u

 Electron )e) – carries a negative charge, found

outside the nucleus, about 1/1800 the mass of a
proton, mass≃0u

 Neutron )n) – carries no charge, found in the

nucleus, a bit heavier than a proton, mass≃1u
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Atomic number and mass 2.4
number
 The number of protons in the nucleus is called
the atomic number (Z), and is unique for
each element.
Z = number of protons

 The mass number (A) of an atom is the total

number of particles in the nucleus:
A = (number of protons) + (number of
neutrons)

 The charge is given by:

Charge = number of proton - number of
Mounia Elamrani
electrons
Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Exercises
 What is the charge of an atom containing 9p,
10n, and 9e?

 What is the charge of an ion containing 12p,

13n, and 14e?

 Which element has 22p and 26n, and what is

its approximate mass?

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Isotopes 2.5
 It turns out that most elements in nature are
uniform mixtures of two or more kinds of
atoms with slightly different masses

 Atoms of the same element with different

masses are called isotopes

 Isotopes have the same atomic number (Z)

but different mass (A)

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Counting Particles in Isotopes 2.5
 Naturally occurring carbon consists of three
isotopes, 12C, 13C, and 14C. State the
number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in
each of these carbon atoms.
12C 13C 14C
6 6 6

#P _______ _______ _______

#N _______ _______ _______
#E _______ _______ _______

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Calculating an element 2.5’s average
atomic mass
 We average the masses of isotopes using
their masses and relative abundances to give
the average atomic mass of an element:
 Naturally occurring chlorine is a mixture of
two isotopes:

Isotope Abundance Mass Contribution

(%) (u)
Cl-35 75.77 34.9689 0.7577 * 34.9689 =
Cl-37 24.23 36.9659 26.50
0.2423u* 36.9659 =
8.957 u
(Rounded) Total =
35.46 u

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Exercises
 What is the symbolic notation for the isotopes
of oxygen that contain 7 and 8n,
respectively?

 Calculate the number of protons and neutrons

in the two isotopes of nitrogen
14
7 N and 157 N

 Magnesium consists of three isotopes of

masses 24.0amu, 25.0amu, and 26.0amu
with abundances of 78.70%, 10.13%, and
11.17% respectively. Calculate the average
atomic
Mounia Elamrani mass ofChapter
Mg. 2 – The Atomic Structure
The Periodic Table 2.6
 It Arranges elements by increasing atomic
number
 Elements are arranged in numbered rows
called periods
 The vertical columns are called groups or
families (group labels vary)
 Elements with similar physical and chemical
properties, are placed in vertical columns, or
groups.
Li, Na, K: are soft, very reactive metals.

He, Ne, Ar:are non reactive gases.

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
2.6 Some important classifications
 A groups = representative elements or main
group elements
 I A= alkali metals
 II A = alkaline earth metals
 VI A = chalcogens
 VII A = halogens
 VIII = noble gases
 B groups = transition elements
 Inner transition elements = elements 58-71
and 90-103
 58 – 71 = lanthanide elements
 90 – 103 = actinide elements

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Modern Periodic Table 2.6

Note: Placement of elements 58 – 71 and 90 – 103 saves space

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Metals, Nonmetals, and 2.6
…Metalloids
 Metals
 Tend to shine (have metallic luster)
 Can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets
(malleable) and can be drawn into wire (ductile)
 Are solids at room temperature (except Hg) and
conduct electricity

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Metals, Nonmetals, and 2.6
…Metalloids
 Nonmetals
 Lack the properties of
metals
 At room T can be solid,
liquid, or gas
 React with metals to
form (ionic) compounds

 Metalloids
 Have properties between
metals and nonmetals
(semiconductors)
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
2.6 Metals, Nonmetals, and
Metalloids…

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Electron Organization Within 2.7
The Atom
 Some early scientists thought that electrons
were orbiting around the nucleus
 Later scientist discovered, through the
emission of light by the elements, that
electrons have energy states
 It all started with atomic emission spectra...

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Continuous Spectrum vs. Line
Spectrum
Visible Light Spectrum Rb Na K

Hydrogen Line Spectrum

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Electromagnetic Radiation and 2.7
Energy
 Radiation carries energy through space
 Light is a form of electromagnetic
radiation
 Electromagnetic radiation is characterized by
its wave nature
 The frequency , ν (in Hz or s-1), of a radiation
is the number of “waves”, or complete
vibrations, in one second
 Each color of the rainbow has a specific
frequency
 Visible light range: 8x104 to 4x104 Hz
 The higher the energy of the radiation, the
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Electromagnetic Radiation and 2.7
Energy

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Atomic Energy States 2.7
 Planck said that energy
can only be absorbed or
released from atoms in
Excited State
fixed amounts called
quanta
 Atoms absorb energy
Absorption Emission
first, then they release it
in the form of a radiation
(or color if in the visible
range)
 When energy is
absorbed, the e- “jumps” Ground State
to the excited state
 When energy is
released, or emitted, the
e-Elamrani
Mounia “drops” to the ground
Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
The Quantum Mechanical Atom 2.8
 Complex mathematical theory that was able
to predict a variety of atomic properties
 The detailed structure of the atom can
explain the periodicity of the chemical
properties of elements
 Elements can be built by adding electrons
and protons to the nuclei
 There are rules guiding the way the electrons
are organized

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Bohr Model 2.8
 First model of the electron
structure
 Gives levels where an
electron is most likely to be
found
 Incorrect today, but a key
in understanding the atom

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Shells, Subshells, and Orbitals
 Shells Contain electrons that are similar in
energy and distance from nucleus:
 Low energy electrons are closest to the nucleus
 Identified by a whole number (1, 2, 3…) called the
principal quantum number (n)…..
 The first shell (n=1) is lowest in energy, the 2nd
level is next in energy (n=2) and so on: 1<2<3<4
 Subshells are locations within a shell:
s<p<d<f
 Atomic Orbitals define the region in space
where electrons are most likely to be.

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

 Number of Electrons

Maximum number of electrons in any level =

2n2

n =1 2(1)2 = 2
n =2 2(2)2 = 8
n =3 2(3)2 = 18

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Order of Electron Filling
All electrons in the same energy level have
similar energy.
 Shell 1 2 electrons
 Shell 2 8 electrons
 Shell 3 18 electrons (8 first,
later 10)

Order of filling for the first 20 electrons

Shell 1 2 3 4
2e 8e 8e 2e
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
Electron Configuration
Lists the shells containing electrons
Written in order of increasing energy
Element \ Shell 1 2 3
He 2
C 2 4
F 2 7
Ne 2 8
Al 2 8 3
Cl 2 8 7

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Exercises
A. The electron configuration for sulfur
1) 2,6 2) 8,2,6 3) 2, 8, 6

B. The element in period 3 with two electrons

in the outermost energy level
1) Mg 2) Ca 3) Na

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Valence Electrons
 Valence or outer shell, or outermost
electrons, are the electrons filling the last
level of energy in a given atom

 Indicate the number of valance electrons:

A. O 1) 4 2) 6 3) 8

B. Al 1) 13 2) 3 3) 1

C. Cl 1) 2 2) 5 3) 7

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Periodic Law
All the elements in a group have the same
electron configuration in their outermost
shells
 Example: Group 2A

Be 2, 2
Mg 2, 8, 2
Ca 2, 8, 8, 2
 Specify if each pair has chemical properties
that are similar (1) or different (2):
A. Cl and Br B. 2 - 5 and 2 - 8 -
7
C. 2 - 4 and 2 - 8 – 4 D. P and S
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
9. Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table
- Note that the 3d orbital fills after the 4s orbital.
- Similarly, the 4f orbital fills after the 5d orbital.

Si
V

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table

There is a shorthand way of writing electron configurations

Write the core electrons corresponding to the filled Noble gas

in square brackets.

Write the valence electrons explicitly.

Example, P: 1s22s22p63s23p3

but Ne is 1s22s22p6

Therefore, P: [Ne]3s23p3.

Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure

 Electron Configurations
 There are a couple
exceptions due to more
stable electron
configuration:
 Cr group prefers to have a
half filled nd orbital with 5
electrons
 Cr: [Ar] 4s2 3d4 becomes
 Cr: [Ar] 4s1 3d5
 Cu group prefers to have a
completely filled nd orbital
with 10 electrons
 Cu: [Ar] 4s2 3d9 becomes
Mounia Elamrani Chapter 2 – The Atomic Structure
 1 10