CHAPTER 3

STRUCTURE OF ATOMS

DR SALMIAH JAMAL BINTI MAT ROSID

 Chapter outline

3.1 Electron, Proton, Neutron, Atomic Number,

Mass Number, and Isotope.
3.2 Introduction to Hydrogen Emission
Spectrum, Bohr’s Theory.
3.3 Quantum Numbers
3.4 Arrangement of Electrons

2
 MODEL OF ATOM
Proton
Shell

Neutron
Electron
COMPOSITION OF ATOMS
 STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM
O Electron
• Has a negative (-) charge
• Has a relative mass of 0 (zero)
• Determines the ion
• Found outside the nucleus
O Bohr model – electrons are in specific
energy levels
O Electron cloud model – electrons are in
a random cloud
 STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM
O Nucleus – center of the atom
 Home of Protons and Neutrons
 Proton
O Has a positive (+) charge
O Has a relative mass of 1
O Determines the atomic number
O Found inside the nucleus
STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM
 Neutron
O Has no (0) charge
O Has a relative mass of 1
O Determines the isotope
 Isotopes are two of the same
element with different masses
O Found inside the nucleus
 How are P, N, e- related?
O Number of protons = atomic number

O Number of electrons = number of protons in a neutral

atom

O Number of protons + number of neutrons = atomic

mass
 ATOMIC NOTATION
Mass number, A
the number of protons and
neutrons in an atom
*determine the identity of atom Chemical Symbol

Atomic number, Z
the number of protons in an atom

number of electrons = number of protons

number of neutron = mass number – atomic
number
Example

1 4 12 16 63
1
H 2 He 6
C 8O 30
Zn

Mass number (A)

Atomic number (Z)

 Example
O Sodium has 11 protons and 12 neutrons. Write an
atomic notation of sodium.
 Solution:
O Atomic number = 11
O Atomic mass = 11+12 = 23
O Atomic notation of sodium
 ISOTOPES
 Definition : atoms of the same element that have the same
number of protons (atomic number) but different number of
neutrons (mass numbers).
- same Z value, different A value
 Example;
 H have 3 isotopes
 Cl have 2 isotopes
 The chemical properties of an element are determined
primarily by the protons & electrons in its atoms.
 Neutrons do not take part in chemical reactions under
normal conditions.
 Show similar chemical properties, due to the same
number of electrons in the atoms.
 Posses different physical properties.
SOME COMMON ISOTOPES

1 12 235
H 6
C 92 U
1

2 13 238
1H 6
C 92 U

3 14
1H 6
C
HYDROGEN EMISSION
SPECTRUM
 HYDROGEN EMISSION SPECTRUM
O Light travels through space as a wave.

O Wavelength ()  the distance between two consecutive crests and

troughs. It is measured in meters or nanometers (1 nm = 10-9 m)

O Frequency ()  the number of wave cycles (successive crests and

troughs) that pass a given point in unit time. The unit is Hertz (Hz)
represents one cycle per second.

O The speed at which a wave moves through space can be found by

multiplying the length of a wave cycle () by the number of cycles

passing a point in unit time ().
where c = speed of light (3.0 x 108 m/s)
c =   = wavelength (m) or (nm)
 = frequency (Hz)
 HYDROGEN EMISSION SPECTRUM
O Light is considered to be generated as a stream of particles
called photons, whose energy, E, is given by

E = h = hc S.I. Unit : Joule (J)


O The electron in its lowest energy state, referred to as the ground
state, for which n = 1. When an electron absorbs enough energy,
it moves to a higher, excited state. In a H atom, the first excited
state has n = 2, the second, n = 3, and so on.

O When an excited electron gives off energy as a photon of light, it

drops back to a lower energy state. The electron can return to
the ground state (for ex: from n = 2 to n = 1) or to a lower excited
state (from n = 3 to n = 2).
 1 1 1
= R -
Rydberg  n 2 n 2
1 2
equation

R is the Rydberg constant = 1.096776x107 m-1

for the visible series, n1 = 2 and n2 = 3, 4, 5,

...
 = RH 1 – 1 Where RH = 2.18 x 10-18 J
h nlo2 nhi
2 h = 6.626 x 10-34 J.s

E = Efinal – Einitial = -2.18 x 10-18 J 1 - 1

n2 final n2 initial
ACTIVITY
1. Calculate the wavelength in nm of the line in the Balmer
series that results from the transition n = 4 to n = 2.

2. A green line of wavelength 4.86 x 10-7 m is observed in the

emission spectrum of hydrogen. Calculate the energy of one
photon of this green light.
 The Wave Nature of the Light
O Atomic structure elucidated by interaction of matter with light.
O Light = electromagnetic radiation, a wave of oscillating
electric and magnetic influences called fields.
O Light travels through space as a wave, similar to an ocean
wave.
O Light properties: characterized by wavelength,, and
frequency,.
O Frequency and wavelength inversely proportional to each
other.
c = 
where c = the speed of light = 3.00x108 m/s;
 = frequency, s1
 = wavelength, m
Electromagnetic Radiation
Example: Red light has  = 700 nm.
Calculate the frequency, .

3.00 x 108 m/s

= c = = 4.29 x 1014 Hz
 7.00 x 10-7 m
 ACTIVITY
1. Calculate the frequency of light with a
wavelength of 500 nm.

2. Calculate the frequency of light if the wavelength

is 400 nm.
Max planck found that :
Energy of radiation is proportional to
frequency.

E = h
= hc / 
where h = Planck’s constant = 6.63 x 10-34 J•s

Light with large  (small n) has a small E.

Light with a short  (large n) has a large E.

 Quantized Energy and
Photons
E.g. determine the energies of photons with
O wavelengths of 650 nm, 700 nm and
O frequencies 4.50 x 1014 s1, 6.50 x 1014
s1

25
BOHR’S THEORY
• When energy (heat, electricity, etc.) is added to an
atom, the electrons within the atom jump to
higher energy levels.
• When the electrons fall back to their original
energy level, they release the energy that they
absorbed in the form of light.
• Therefore, in order to understand the electronic
structure of the atom we must first understand the
nature of light itself!
 BOHR’S MODEL
O Main postulates of Bohr’s atomic theory are:
CONSTANT ENERGY CONCEPT
O Energy of an electron is constant in one of its allowed
orbits. As long as an electron remains in its orbit, it neither
absorbs nor radiates energy.
CONCEPT OF ENERGY LEVELS
O Electrons revolve around the nucleus of atom in circular
orbits in which energy of electrons is constant. These
circular paths are known as "energy levels" or "stationary
states".
RADIATION OF ENERGY
O If an electron jumps form higher energy level to a lower
energy level, it radiates a definite amount of energy.
ABSORPTION OF ENERGY
O If an electron jumps from lower energy level to a higher
energy level, it absorbs a definite amount of energy.
 The Bohr Model of Hydrogen
When excited, the Emission: The atom Upon emission,
electron is in a higher gives off energy—as the electron drops
energy level. a photon. to a lower energy
level.
Excitation: The atom
absorbs energy that is
exactly equal to the
difference between two
energy levels.

Each circle represents an

allowed energy level for the
electron. The electron may be
thought of as orbiting at a fixed
distance from the nucleus.
 AMOUNT OF ENERGY

O Energy released or absorbed by an electron is

equal to the difference of energy of two energy
levels.

O Let an electron jumps from a higher energy level

E2 to a lower energy level E1. The energy is
emitted in the form of light. Amount of energy
released is given by:
E = E2 -E1
 Generalized Equation
O The energy absorbed or emitted from the process of an
electron transition can be calculated by the equation:

O RH is a Rydberg constant in energy units:

2.18 X 10-18 J.
O n1 and n2 are the initial and final energy levels of the
electron.
 Example
O Calculate the wavelength of light corresponding by an electron
transition from n = 4 to n = 2

-ve sign indicates that this energy associated with an emmission. To

calculate the , omit the –ve sign because the wavelength must be
+ve.
 ACTIVITY
O Calculate the energy of the photon when the electron drops
from the fifth orbit to the second orbit. Calculate also the
frequency and the wavelength of the photon in nm.
QUANTUM
NUMBERS
 QUANTUM MECHANICS OF AN
ATOMIC MODEL
 Quantum Mechanics:
A theory explaining the electron motions in an atom

 Why must we study about the electron?

Electron determine the chemical properties of a
substance

 Orbital : region of space around the nucleus which has

the greatest probability of finding an electron. Each
orbital has a definite shape and energy.
O From the atomic model explanation,
O Electrons surrounding the nucleus are distributed in
shells or specific energy levels with discrete
amounts of energy.

O Electrons are free to move between these shells.

O Shells are divided into subshells or energy level,

within these subshells, electrons is grouped into
orbital.
O The quantum mechanics model identifies 4 quantum
numbers.
O n
O l to describe the electron orbital.
O m
O s explains the spin direction of electron in
the orbital.
1) Principal Quantum Number, n
 Indicates the average distance of an electron from the nucleus
 The larger n is, the greater is the average distance of an electron
in the orbital from the nucleus.
 It is normally to refer the energy levels as electron shells.
 Function: Determine the
- shell
- distance of e from nucleus
- size of shell
- the energy of e-
 Allowed Value: positive integers., 1,2,3,4…….
 Relationship between n and orbital in an atom.
Quantum Number (n) Shell
1 K
2 L
3 M
4 N

O The energy level n = 1 is the nearest to the nucleus. Thus, an

electron residing in n = 1 is most strongly held by the nucleus.
O The maximum number of electron that can occupy a given shell
depends on the shell number.

Maximum e = 2n2
n = shell number
O Each shell can hold a maximum of 2n2 electrons, n = 1,2,3,4…
O The different of n
2) Azymuthal @ Angular Quantum
Number (l)
O Function: Determine the shape of orbitals in a shell

O Called subshells

O Allowed Value: from 0 to (n – 1).

O Same value of n, energy increase as l increase.

O This means electron occupying a 3d subshell (l = 2) has higher energy

than an electrons occupying a 3p (l = 1) or 3s subshell (l = 0)

O Energy of electrons, s < p < d < f .

Relation between n and l
Quantum Number (n) l
1 0
2 0,1
3 0,1,2
4 0,1,2,3
Energy sublevels (orbital) notation by l values.
l (n-1) Energy sublevel (orbital)

0 s
1 p
2 d
3 f
4 g
O Suborbital notation (energy sublevels)

n l Suborbital notation
1 0 1s
2 0 2s
1 2p
0 3s
3
1 3p
2 3d
0 4s
1 4p
4
2 4d
3 4f
3) Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
O Describe the orientation of the orbital in space.

O Function: determine:
- direction of orbital ( x, y, z axis)
- determine number of orbital

O for a given value of l

ml = -l, …., 0, …. +l
if l = 0 (s orbital), ml = 0
if l = 1 (p orbital), ml = -1, 0, or 1
if l = 2 (d orbital), ml = -2, -1, 0, 1, or 2

orientation of the orbital in space

3) Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
Table : Relation between n, l, and m
Shell n l m Orbita Number of
l orbital
K 1 0 0 1s 1
L 2 0 0 2s 1
1 -1, 0, +1 2p 3
M 3 0 0 3s 1
1 -1, 0, +1 3p 3
2 -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 3d 5
N 4 0 0 4s 1
1 -1, 0, +1 4p 3
2 -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 4d 5
3 -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, 4f 7
+3
ml determine number of orbital
O l =0, ml = 0
O l =0, s orbital.
O There are 1 type of s orbital.
ml determine number of orbital
O l =1, ml = -1, 0, +1
O l =1, p orbital.
O There are 3 type of p orbital.
O Px, Py and Pz
ml determine number of orbital

O l =2, ml = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2

O l =2, d orbital.
O There are 5 type of d orbital.
 The Hierarchy of Quantum Numbers for Atomic Orbitals
Name, Symbol
(Property) Allowed Values Quantum Numbers

Principal, n Positive integer

1 2 3
(size, energy) (1, 2, 3, ...)

Angular
momentum, l 0 to n-1 0 0 1 0 1 2
(shape)

0 0 0
Magnetic, ml -1 0 +1
-l,…,0,…,+l -1 0 +1
(orientation)

-2 -1 0 +1 +2
4) The Electron Spin Quantum Number
(ms)
O Function : determine spin (direction)

of the electron

O Allowed Value: +1/2 and -1/2

O An electrons for which s is:

 +1/2, the sign of that spin are up (↑),

 -1/2, the sign of s is down (↓).

ms = +½ ms = -½
SCHRODINGER WAVE EQUATION

O Shell – electrons with the same value of n

O Subshell – electrons with the same values of n and l
O Orbital – electrons with the same values of n, l, and ml
O How many electrons can an orbital hold?

If n, l, and ml are fixed, then ms = ½ or - ½

 = (n, l, ml, ½) or  = (n, l, ml, -½)

An orbital can hold 2 electrons

The arrangement of the electron in the orbitals must obey 3
principles:

1. Aufbau Principle: The lowest energy orbitals are filled first,

with a maximum of two electrons in any orbital.

2. Pauli Exclusion Principle: A maximum of two spin paired

electrons may be placed in each orbital.

3. Hund’s Rule: One electron is added to each degenerate (equal

energy orbital) before a second electron is added.
 AUFBAU PRINCIPLE
O The lowest energy orbitals are filled first, with a
maximum of two electrons in any orbital

O Question :
1. Between 2s and 3s, which one will be filled
first by the electron?
2. How many 2p orbitals are there in an atom?
3. How many electrons can be placed in the 3d
subshell?
“Fill up” electrons in lowest energy orbitals (Aufbau principle)

? ?
B 5 electrons B 1s22s22p1

Be 4 electrons Li 1s22s1

Li 3 electrons Be 1s22s2

He 2 electrons He 1s2

H 1 electron H 1s1
Order of orbitals (filling) in multi-electron atom

1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p < 5s < 4d < 5p < 6s
Outermost subshell being filled with electrons
 PAULI’S EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE
 A maximum of two spin paired electrons may be
placed in each orbital
 No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of
quantum number (n, l, ml and ms)

 If 2 electrons in an atom should have the same n, l,

m value (that is, these 2 electrons are in the same
atomic orbital) then they must have different values
of s (opposite spins).

 Example:
n = 1, l = 0, m = 0, s = -1/2
n = 1, l = 0, m = 0, s = +1/2
 HUND’S RULE
O One electron is added to each degenerate (equal energy
orbital) before a second electron is added

O States that an electron will not enter an orbital containing

another electron if an empty orbital of the same energy level
is available.
 ēs will occupy all orbitals of the same energy level
singly before they start pairing up.

O Once all the orbital are single occupied, subsequent electron

occupation will start to result in them pairing up.

O Hund’s rule state an atom can have as many unpaired

electrons as possible.
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
O What is electronic configurations?
– The electron configuration of an atom describes
the orbitals occupied by the electrons on the atom.

O It shows the ways electrons are arranged in the

subshells of an atom.

O Important things: you should understand the concept

of ‘Energies of Atomic Orbitals’
 The Relative Energy Of Atomic
Orbitals
O Two factors control the energy of an orbital for most atoms:

i) the size of the orbital

O The most important factor

O Depends on the value of the principal quantum number, n

O Higher n, higher energy of the orbital

ii) The shape of the orbital

O The more complex the shape of the orbital, the

higher the energy of the orbital

O Depends on the azymuthal quantum number,l.

O Larger value of l, larger energy of the subshells

 n=3 l = 2

n=3 l = 1
n=3 l = 0

n=2 l = 1
n=2 l = 0

n=1 l = 0
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
O Two general methods are used to denote ē configurations.
a) The subshell ( sub-energy level) notation, uses ;
- numbers to designate the principal energy levels or principal
shells
- the letters s, p, d, and f to identify the sublevels.
- superscript number following the letter indicates the number of
ēs in the designated subshell.

b) Orbital diagram, uses ;

- boxes to indicate orbitals within subshells, and
- arrows to represent ēs in these orbitals. The directions of the
arrows represent the directions of the ē spins.
 SUBSHELL NOTATION
O Subshell notation : naming the orbital where
the electron is located
O Electron configurations of some elements
 THE END…
THANK YOU 

Q&A

69