Atomic Structure Unit 3
Key Concepts
1. What is an Atom Made Of?
● Atoms are the smallest particles retaining the chemical characteristics of elements,
making up all matter.1
● Sub-atomic particles:
o Proton: Positive charge 1, relative mass 1, found in nucleus.
o Neutron: Neutral 0 charge), relative mass 1, found in nucleus.
o Electron: Negative charge 1, relative mass 1/1840 (much lighter), found in electron
shells surrounding the nucleus.
● Nucleus: Contains protons and neutrons (collectively called nucleons).
● Electron Shells/Energy Levels: Surround the nucleus and contain electrons.
● Atoms are neutral: Same number of protons and electrons.1
Table: Summary of Sub-atomic Particles
Particle Relative Mass Relative Charge Location
Proton 1 1 Nucleus
Neutron 1 0 Nucleus
Electron 1/1840 1 Electron Shell
2. How Many Sub-atomic Particles Does an Atom Have?
● Proton Atomic Number, Z Number of protons—identifies the element.
● Nucleon Mass Number, A Total number of protons + neutrons.
o $ Number of neutrons = A Z $
● Nuclide Notation: Represents atomʼs symbol, nucleon number A, and proton number Z.
12
Example: 6
�
● Atoms vs. ions:
o Atoms: Equal protons and electrons, neutral.
o Ions: Gain/loss of electrons. Number of protons remains the same, electrons
change.
2+
▪ E.g. �� : 20 protons, 18 electrons.1
3. Isotopes
● Isotopes: Atoms of the same element (same Z) but different mass numbers A) due to
different numbers of neutrons.
● Physical properties like density, melting/boiling point may differ, but chemical properties
are mostly similar.
● Examples:
o Hydrogen: Hydrogen-1 (protium), Hydrogen-2 (deuterium), Hydrogen-3 (tritium).
o Chlorine: Chlorine-35 and Chlorine-37.
4. How Are Sub-atomic Particles Arranged?
● Electron shells have limited capacities:
o 1st: Max 2 electrons
o 2nd: Max 8 electrons
o 3rd: Max 8 electrons (for first 18 elements)
● Electronic configuration: Shows how electrons are arranged in shells; crucial for
understanding reactivity.
o Helium: 2
o Lithium: 2, 1
o Neon: 2, 8
o Sodium: 2, 8, 1
o Potassium: 2, 8, 8, 1
● Valence electrons: Electrons in the outermost shell; determine chemical reactivity.
5. Applications & Modern Connections
● Masks with positive charges for killing viruses/bacteria.
● Strain engineering: Creates space for electrons to move faster in computer chips.
● Nanotechnology: Manipulating atoms for drugs, black materials and solar tech, etc.
Practice Questions
Multiple Choice
1. All atoms of the same element have the same number of:
o A. Electrons and neutrons
o B. Electrons and protons
o C. Neutrons and protons
o D. Nucleons and electron shells
23
2. Sodiumʼs most stable isotope has the symbol ��. This means the atom contains:
o A. 11 electrons, 11 neutrons, 12 protons
o B. 11 electrons, 12 neutrons, 11 protons
o C. 12 electrons, 11 neutrons, 11 protons
o D. 23 electrons, 11 neutrons, 11 protons
3 4
3. Two isotopes of helium: �� and
2 2
��.
An atom of the lighter isotope contains:
o A. Two neutrons
o B. Three electrons
o C. Three protons and neutrons in total
o D. One less proton than the heavier isotope
4. Calcium has a proton (atomic) number of 20. What is its electronic configuration?
o A. 2, 4, 6, 8
o B. 2, 6, 8, 4
o C. 2, 8, 10
o D. 2, 8, 8, 2
Structured Practice Problems
1. Nuclide Notation and Properties
The following are the nuclide notations for argon, potassium and calcium atoms:
40 39 40
��,
18 19
�, 20
��
● (a) Identify the atom with the least mass.
● (b) Which atoms have the same number of neutrons?
● (c) Which atom is smallest in size?
● (d) Which atom has a fully filled outermost shell? State its electronic configuration.
2. Isotopes of Chlorine
35 37
A sample contains two chlorine isotopes: 17
��, ��.
17
● (a) Define the term isotope.
● (b) State the atomic number of chlorine.
● (c) Find the number of neutrons in each isotope.
3. Electronic Configuration Table Completion
Fill in the electronic configurations:
Element Proton No. Electronic Configuration
Carbon 6 2, 4
Nitrogen 7 ?
Silicon 14 ?
Sulfur 16 ?
Potassium 19 ?
● Which two elements above are most likely to react similarly, and why?
4. Isotope Table Completion
Complete for bromine and lead:
Isotope Protons Neutrons Electrons Nuclide Notation
Bromine-79 35 44 35 79
35
��
Bromine-81 35 ? 35 ?
Lead-204 82 ? 82 ?
● Will bromine-79 and bromine-81 undergo different chemical reactions? Explain.
Higher-Order Application Questions
1. Heavy Water
Water molecule (� 2�) contains two hydrogen-1 atoms and one oxygen-16 atom. “Heavy waterˮ
uses hydrogen-2 (deuterium).
● (a) Write electronic configurations for oxygen and hydrogen in heavy water.
● (b) State the term describing hydrogen-1 and hydrogen-2.
● (c) Using kinetic particle theory, suggest why excess heavy water might slow down cell
functions.
● (d) Suggest a method for separating heavy water from regular water and explain.
2. Arsenic and Phosphorus
Arsenic (proton number 33, only arsenic-75 is stable. Arsenic compounds react like
phosphorus (proton number 15.
● (a) Number of electrons in arsenic and phosphorus atoms.
● (b) Electronic configuration of phosphorus.
● (c) Arsenic has 5 valence electrons. Suggest why arsenic compounds react similarly to
phosphorus compounds.
