Chemistry Class Notes: Atoms
Date: December 28, 2024 Instructor: Dr. Patel
Introduction to Atoms
Definition: Atoms are the basic units of matter and the defining structure of elements. They are composed of three types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and e
Importance: Understanding atoms is fundamental to the study of chemistry and the behavior of matter.
Structure of an Atom
1. Nucleus:
Located at the center of the atom.
Contains protons and neutrons.
Protons: Positively charged particles.
Neutrons: Neutral particles (no charge).
2. Electron Cloud:
Surrounds the nucleus.
Contains electrons, which are negatively charged particles.
Electrons orbit the nucleus in regions called electron shells or energy levels.
Subatomic Particles
Protons (p⁺):
Charge: +1
Mass: Approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu)
Location: Nucleus
Neutrons (n⁰):
Charge: 0 (neutral)
Mass: Approximately 1 amu
Location: Nucleus
Electrons (e⁻):
Charge: -1
Mass: Approximately 1/1836 of a proton (negligible)
Location: Electron cloud
Atomic Number and Mass Number
Atomic Number (Z):
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Determines the identity of the element.
Example: Carbon (C) has an atomic number of 6 (6 protons).
Mass Number (A):
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Formula: ��� = ��� + ��� (where ��� is the number of neutrons).
Example: Carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, so its mass number is 12.
Isotopes
Definition: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Example:
Carbon-12 (6 protons, 6 neutrons)
Carbon-14 (6 protons, 8 neutrons)
Ions
Definition: Ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net charge.
Cations: Positively charged ions (lost electrons).
Example: Sodium ion (Na⁺)
Anions: Negatively charged ions (gained electrons).
Example: Chloride ion (Cl⁻)
Atomic Models
1. Dalton's Model (1803): Atoms are indivisible particles.
2. Thomson's Model (1897): Plum pudding model; electrons are embedded in a positively charged sphere.
3. Rutherford's Model (1911): Atoms have a dense, positively charged nucleus; electrons orbit the nucleus.
4. Bohr's Model (1913): Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed energy levels.
5. Quantum Mechanical Model: Electrons exist in probabilistic clouds called orbitals rather than fixed paths.
Summary
Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The atomic number identifies the element, while the mass number indicates the total number of protons and neutrons.
