Revision Notes on Atoms and Molecules
The idea of divisibility by Indian philosophers
Maharishi Kanad – He postulated that if we keep on dividing the matter (called ‘padarth’) we
will get smaller and smaller particles. And soon we will achieve the smallest of particles
(called as ‘parmanu’) which may not divide further.
Pakudha Katyayama – He postulated that there are various forms of matter because the
particles of matter exist together in combinations.
The idea of divisibility by Greek philosophers
Democritus and Leucippus – They suggested that when we keep on dividing the
matter there comes a time when no more division of particles can take place. Such
particles are called atoms which means being invisible.
But all these ideas were not backed up by many experimental pieces of evidence until
Antoine L. Lavoisier provided two laws of chemical combination.
Laws of Chemical Combination
1. Law of conservation of mass – mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a
chemical reaction
2. Law of constant proportion/Law of definite proportion – the elements are always
present in definite proportions by mass in a chemical substance
For example, Hydrogen and oxygen are present in water in a ratio of 1:8. So if we
decompose 9g of water we will obtain 1g of hydrogen and 8g of oxygen.
The Atomic Theory
John Dalton proposed an atomic theory that acted as an explanation of the above two
laws. As per the theory, all matter whether it is an element, a compound or a mixture
consists of tiny invisible particles called ‘atoms’.
The postulates of the atomic theory by John Dalton
1. The matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms that cannot be divided.
2. Atoms are never formed or destroyed during a chemical reaction.
3. Atoms of an element exhibit the same nature. They have the same size, mass, and
character.
4. Atoms of different elements exhibit variant nature. They do not have the same
characteristics.
5. Atoms form compounds by combining them in a ratio of whole numbers.
6. A compound contains a constant number and kinds of atoms
Atoms
We can call atoms as the building blocks of matter. Just like bricks are the building
blocks of a building.
What is the size of an atom?
Atoms are extremely small. Their size is measured in nanometers, where 1nm = 1/109 m.
Atomic radius is measured in nanometers
1/109 = 1nm
1m = 109 nm
Relative Sizes
Radii (in m) Example
10-10 Atom of hydrogen
10-9 Molecule of water
10-8 Molecule of haemoglobin
10-4 Grain of Sand
10-2 Ant
10-1 Watermelon
Symbols for Atoms
The symbols for representing an atom are generated from the first two letters of the
element’s name. The first letter is always in uppercase (capital letter) while the second
letter is written in lowercase. Here are some examples –
The Atomic Mass
Dalton’s Atomic Theory suggested that each element has a distinguishing atomic mass. With
this theory, the law of constant proportions could be explained easily.
But it is indeed difficult to evaluate the mass of an atom since the size of an atom is relatively
small.
Therefore scientists started evaluating the mass of an atom by comparing it with the mass of
a standard atom.
Earlier 1/16 of the mass of an oxygen atom was used as a standard for calculating the mass
of other elements. Now, carbon - 12 is considered a standard atom for calculating the mass.
Its atomic mass is 12u (12 atomic mass units). Thus we can say that one atomic mass unit is
the mass of 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom. Here is a list of atomic masses of a few
elements.
Element Atomic Mass
Hydrogen 1 u
Carbon 12 u
Nitrogen 14 u
Oxygen 16 u
Sodium 23 u
Magnesium 24 u
Sulphur 32 u
Chlorine 35.5 u
Calcium 40 u
Can atoms exist independently?
Atoms cannot survive independently. So, atoms join together and form molecules or
ions.
Molecule
A molecule is a collection of various atoms that combine chemically with each other.
These atoms are bound together by certain forces of attraction.
Atoms of the same elements or different elements can bind together to form molecules.
Therefore, a molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that can exist independently and
shows all the properties of that substance.
Molecules of Elements
The molecules of an element are formed by combinations of similar types of atoms. For
example, Helium (He) is made up of only one atom while oxygen is made up of two atoms.
Atomicity – the number of atoms in a molecule of an element is called its atomicity. For
example, helium is monatomic and oxygen is diatomic.
Monoatomic – when an element comprises a single atom. Example – all metals
Diatomic – when an element comprises two atoms. Example – all gases
Triatomic – when an element comprises of three atoms
Tetra-atomic – when an element comprises of four atoms
Poly-atomic – when an element comprises of more than two atoms
Here a few examples of atomicity of elements –
Atomicity of some Elements
Name Atomicity Formula
Argon Monoatomic Ar
Helium Monoatomic He
Oxygen Diatomic O2
Hydrogen Diatomic H2
Nitrogen Diatomic N2
Chlorine Diatomic Cl2
Phosphorous Tetra – atomic P4
Sulphur Poly – atomic S8
Molecules of Compounds
Molecules of compounds constitute atoms of different elements that combine together in
a fixed proportion. For example, water comprises two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of
oxygen.
Ions
Compounds contain metals as well as non-metals. These elements include charged species
which are known as ions.
Thus, an ion is a particle that has a positive or negative charge.
Anion – negatively charged ion
Cation – positively charged ion
There can be a single charged atom in an ion or there may be a group of charged atoms in an
ion that have a net charge on the compound.
When a group of atoms carries a charge in a compound it is called a polyatomic ion.
Chemical Formula
We use a chemical formula to represent the composition of a compound in the form of
symbols. To write a chemical formula you must know two things –
1. Symbols of elements
2. Valency
Valency – it is also known as the combining capacity of an element. In other words,
valency explains how atoms of one element will mix with atoms of another element. For
example, the hydrogen ion is represented as H+ which means that its valency is 1.
Similarly, the oxygen ion is represented as O2- which means that its valency is 2. Here is
a list of valencies of various elements.
Rules of writing a Chemical Formula
Valencies of on the ions must balance.
In a case where both metal and non-metal substances are present in a compound, the name
of the metal is always written first in the chemical formula. For example, Sodium Chloride is
written as NaCl
In the case of polyatomic ions, the ion is written in brackets before writing the number of ions
associated with it. In the case of a single ion, there is no need to mention the ion in brackets
Writing the Formulae of Simple Compounds
Binary compounds – compounds that consist of two different elements
How to write a Formula of a Compound
Write the symbols of the corresponding elements of the compound as explained above
Write the valencies of the elements of the compound
Crossover the valencies of the elements
Molecular Mass
Molecular Mass – summation of all the atomic masses in a molecule
Molecular mass is expressed in atomic mass units (amu).
For example, the molecular mass of HNO3 can be calculated as:
Atomic mass of H =1u
Atomic mass of N =14u
Atomic mass of O =16u
Molecular mass of HNO3 = 1 + 14 + (16*3) = 63u
Formula Unit Mass
The sum of atomic masses of all atoms in a formula unit of a compound is called its
formula unit mass. The formula unit mass is used in the case of substances that
constitute ions. For example, the formula unit mass of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) can be
calculated as: (1*23) + (1*35.5) = 58.5u
Class 9 Science NCERT Textbook Page 32
Question 1. In a reaction 5.3 g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of ethanoic acid.
The products were 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g water and 8.2 g of sodium etkanoate.
Show that these observations are in agreement with the law of conservation of mass
carbonate.
Answer:
NCERT Solutions For Class 9
Science Chapter 3 Atoms and
Molecules
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NCERT Solutions For Class 9
Science Chapter 3 Atoms and Molecules
Topics and Sub Topics in Class 9 Science Chapter 3 Atoms and Molecules:
1. Atoms and Molecules
2. Laws of Chemical Combination
3. What is an Atom?
4. What is a Molecule?
5. Writing Chemical Formulae
6. Molecular Mass and Mole Concept
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IN-TEXT QUESTIONS SOLVED
NCERT Textbook for Class 9 Science – Page 32
Question 1. In a reaction 5.3 g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of
ethanoic acid. The products were 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g water and 8.2 g
of sodium ethanoate. Show that these observations are in agreement with the
law of conservation of mass carbonate.
Answer.
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CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 3 IN-TEXT QUESTIONS SOLVED
Class 9 Science NCERT Textbook Page 32
Question 1. In a reaction 5.3 g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of
ethanoic acid. The products were 2.2 g of carbon dioxide, 0.9 g water and 8.2 g
of sodium etkanoate. Show that these observations are in agreement with the
law of conservation of mass carbonate.
Answer:
Question 2. Hydrogen and oxygen combine in the ratio of 1 : 8 by mass to form
water. What mass of oxygen gas would be required to react completely with 3
g of hydrogen gas?
Answer: Ratio of H : O by mass in water is:
Hydrogen : Oxygen —> H2O
∴1:8=3:x
x=8x3
x = 24 g
∴ 24 g of oxygen gas would be required to react completely with 3 g of hydrogen
gas.
Question 3. Which postulate of Dalton’s atomic theory is the result of the law of
conservation of mass?
Answer: The postulate of Dalton’s atomic theory that is the result of the law of conservation
of mass is—the relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound. Atoms
cannot be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Question 4. Which postulate of Dalton’s atomic theory can explain the law of definite
proportions?
Answer: The relative number and kinds of atoms are constant in a given compound.
Class 9 Science NCERT Textbook Page 35
Question 1. Define the atomic mass unit.
Answer: One atomic mass unit is equal to exactly one-twelfth (1/12th) the mass of one atom
of carbon-12. The relative atomic masses of all elements have been found with respect to an
atom of carbon-12. Question 2. Why is it not possible to see an atom with naked eyes?
Answer: Atom is too small to be seen with naked eyes. It is measured in nanometres.
1 m = 10-9 nm
NCERT Textbook Questions – Page 39
Question 1. Write down the formulae of
(i) Sodium oxide
(ii) Aluminium chloride
(iii) Sodium sulphide
(iv) Magnesium hydroxide
Answer: The formulae are
Question 2. What is meant by the term chemical formula?
Answer: The chemical formula of the compound is a symbolic representation of its
composition, e.g., chemical formula of sodium chloride is NaCl.
Question 3. How many atoms are present in a
(i) H2S molecule and
(ii) P043- ion?
Answer: (i) H2S —> 3 atoms are present
(ii) P043- —> 5 atoms are present
NCERT Textbook Questions – Page 40
Question 1. Calculate the molecular masses of H2, O2, Cl2, C02, CH4, C2H2,NH3, CH3OH.
Answer: The molecular masses are:
Question [Link] the formula unit masses of ZnO, Na2O, K2C03, given atomic masses
of Zn = 65 u, Na = 23 u, K = 39 u, C = 12 u, and O = 16 u.
Answer: The formula unit mass of
(i) ZnO = 65 u + 16 u = 81 u
(ii) Na2O = (23 u x 2) + 16 u = 46 u + 16 u = 62 u
(iii) K2C03 = (39 u x 2) + 12 u + 16 u x 3
= 78 u + 12 u + 48 u = 138 u
Question 1. A 0.24 g sample of compound of oxygen and boron was found by analysis to
contain 0.096 g of boron and 0.144 g of oxygen. Calculate the percentage composition of
the compound by weight.
Answer: Boron and oxygen compound —> Boron + Oxygen
0.24 g —> 0.096 g + 0.144 g
Question 2. When 3.0 g of carbon is burnt in 8.00 g oxygen, 11.00 g of carbon dioxide is
produced. What mass of carbon dioxide will be formed when 3.00 g of carbon is burnt
in 50.00 g of oxygen? Which law of chemical combination will govern your answer?
Answer: The reaction of burning of carbon in oxygen may be written as:
It shows that 12 g of carbon bums in 32 g oxygen to form 44 g of carbon dioxide. Therefore 3
g of carbon reacts with 8 g of oxygen to form 11 g of carbon dioxide. It is given that 3.0 g of
carbon is burnt with 8 g of oxygen to produce 11.0 g of CO2. Consequently 11.0 g of carbon
dioxide will be formed when 3.0 g of C is burnt in 50 g of oxygen consuming 8 g of oxygen,
leaving behind 50 – 8 = 42 g of O2. The answer governs the law of constant proportion.
Question 3. What are poly atomic ions? Give examples.
Answer: The ions which contain more than one atoms (same kind or may be of different
kind) and behave as a single unit are called polyatomic ions e.g., OH–, SO42-, CO32-.
Question 4. Write the chemical formulae of the following:
(a) Magnesium chloride
(b) Calcium oxide
(c) Copper nitrate
(d) Aluminium chloride
(e) Calcium carbonate.
Answer: (a) Magnesium chloride
Symbol —> Mg Cl
Charge —> +2 -1
Formula —> MgCl2
(b) Calcium oxide
Symbol —> Ca O
Charge —> +2 -2
Formula —> CaO
(c) Copper nitrate
Symbol —> Cu NO
Change +2 -1
Formula - Cu(N03)2
(d) Aluminium chloride
Symbol —> Al Cl
Change —> +3 -1
Formula —> AlCl3
(d) Calcium carbonate
Symbol —> Ca CO3
Change —> +2 -2
Formula —> CaCO3
Question 5. Give the names of the elements present in the following compounds:
(a) Quick lime
(b) Hydrogen bromide
(c) Baking powder
(d) Potassium sulphate.
Answer: (a) Quick lime —> Calcium oxide
Elements —> Calcium and oxygen
(b) Hydrogen bromide
Elements —> Hydrogen and bromine
(c) Baking powder —> Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Elements —> Sodium, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen
(d) Potassium sulphate
Elements —> Potassium, sulphur and oxygen
Question 6. Calculate the molar mass of the following substances.
(a) Ethyne, C2H2
(b) Sulphur molecule, S8
(c) Phosphorus molecule, P4 (Atomic mass of phosphorus = 31)
(d) Hydrochloric acid, HCl
(e) Nitric acid, HNO3
Answer: The molar mass of the following: [Unit is ‘g’]
(a) Ethyne, C2H2 = 2 x 12 + 2 x 1 = 24 + 2 = 26 g
(b) Sulphur molecule, S8 = 8 x 32 = 256 g
(c) Phosphorus molecule, P4=4 x 31 = i24g
(d) Hydrochloric acid, HCl = 1 x 1 + 1 x 35.5 = 1 + 35.5 = 36.5 g
(e) Nitric acid, HNO3 = 1 x 1 + 1 x 14 + 3 x 16 = 1 + 14 + 48 = 63 g
