Atomic Structure – Detailed JEE Notes
This document provides an in-depth explanation of atomic structure, covering fundamental
concepts, theories, and important mathematical formulations essential for JEE preparation.
1. Discovery of Fundamental Particles
Atoms were initially considered indivisible, but later discoveries identified three
fundamental particles:
Particle Charge (C) Mass (kg) Discovered By
Electron (e⁻) -1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ J.J. Thomson (1897)
Proton (p⁺) +1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ Goldstein (1886)
Neutron (n⁰) 0 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ James Chadwick
(1932)
Electrons were discovered using cathode ray experiments, while protons were identified
using anode rays. Neutrons were later discovered due to their neutral nature.
2. Atomic Models
2.1 Thomson’s Atomic Model
Thomson proposed the ‘Plum Pudding Model’, where negatively charged electrons were
embedded in a positively charged sphere, resembling a pudding with raisins. This model
was later discarded as it could not explain atomic stability.
2.2 Rutherford’s Atomic Model
Rutherford’s famous gold foil experiment led to the discovery of the nucleus. His
observations included:
• Most of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil undeflected.
• Some particles were deflected at small angles.
• A few particles rebounded, suggesting the presence of a dense, positively charged nucleus.
Key postulates:
• The nucleus is positively charged and holds most of the atom’s mass.
• Electrons revolve around the nucleus in circular orbits.
• The model could not explain why electrons do not spiral into the nucleus.
2.3 Bohr’s Atomic Model
Bohr modified Rutherford’s model by introducing quantized orbits, stating:
• Electrons revolve in fixed orbits with discrete energy levels.
• Energy of an electron is given by:
−13.6
En = 2
eV
n
• Electrons absorb or emit energy during transitions between orbits, leading to spectral
lines.
3. Quantum Mechanical Model
This model, based on Schrödinger’s wave equation, describes electrons as wave functions
rather than particles in fixed orbits. Key principles include:
• **Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle:**
It is impossible to simultaneously determine both position and momentum of an electron.
• **De Broglie’s Hypothesis:** Electrons exhibit wave-like properties, with wavelength
given by:
• **Schrödinger’s Wave Equation:** Defines probability distributions for electrons in
orbitals.
4. Quantum Numbers
Principal n Defines energy level and
size of the orbital
Azimuthal l Determines subshell (s, p, d,
f)
Magnetic m_l Specifies orientation of the
orbital
Spin m_s Represents electron spin
(+½ or -½)
5. Hydrogen Spectrum & Rydberg Equation
When electrons transition between energy levels, light is emitted in different spectral
series:
• **Lyman Series:** UV region (n₁ = 1)
• **Balmer Series:** Visible region (n₁ = 2)
• **Paschen Series:** Infrared region (n₁ = 3)
The wavelength of emitted light is given by the **Rydberg Equation**:
6. Electronic Configuration Rules
• **Aufbau Principle:** Orbitals fill in increasing energy order.
• **Pauli’s Exclusion Principle:** No two electrons in an atom have the same set of four
quantum numbers.
• **Hund’s Rule:** Electrons fill orbitals singly before pairing to maximize stability.
7. Important Formulae Recap
• **Bohr’s Energy Levels:**
𝐸_𝑛 = −\𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{13.6}{𝑛^2} 𝑒𝑉
• **De Broglie Wavelength:**
\𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑑𝑎 = \𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{ℎ}{𝑚𝑣}
• **Heisenberg’s Uncertainty:**
\𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑥 \𝑐𝑑𝑜𝑡 \𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑝 \𝑔𝑒𝑞 \𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{ℎ}{4\𝑝𝑖}
• **Rydberg Equation:**
\𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{1}{\𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑑𝑎} = 𝑅_𝐻 \𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡( \𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{1}{𝑛_1^2} − \𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐{1}{𝑛_2^2} \
𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
