Chapter 2.

Atoms

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Objectives
 What is Atom?
 Describe the structure of an atom
 Importance of Atomic number and atomic mass in the periodic
table
 Ways to represent the atomic structure of an element or
compound.
 Charges of an atom

Ref:
1.Russo, S., & Silver, M. E. (2010). Introductory Chemistry (3rd ed.) United States: Prentice Hall.
2.www.chemicool.com
3. www.about.com

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Chapter 2. Atoms

All things are composed of small tiny particles called “

Atoms”.

Atoms are made up of three main particles.

a) Neutron
b) Proton
c) Electron

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Differences between the particles

Particle Charge Mass

Proton + ve charge 1

Neutron No charge 1

Electron -ve charge nil

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Chapter 2. Atoms

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Atomic Number
Atomic number is the total number of protons in an atom.

The atomic number is typically located beneath the

element symbol.

e.g O
16 p= 8
n= 8
8 Atomic no. e= 8

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Atomic Mass
Atomic Mass is the total no. of protons and neutrons in
an atom

It is typically allocated above the element symbol.

16 Atomic Mass
e.g. O
8

p= 8
n= 8
e= 8
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Chapter 2. Atoms

Q1. Find the atomic no. of the following elements

4
p=2
a) Helium He n= 2
2
e= 2

12
b) Carbon C
6
p=
n=
e=

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Chapter 2. Atoms

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Chapter 2. Atoms

ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Electrons are arranged in Energy Levels

or Shells around the nucleus of an atom.

• first shell a maximum of 2

electrons

• second shell a maximum of 8

electrons

• third shell a maximum of 18

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Chapter 2. Atoms

ATOMIC STRUCTURE

There are two ways to represent the atomic

structure of an element or compound;

1. Electronic Configuration
2. Dot & Cross Diagrams

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Chapter 2. Atoms

How are electrons arranged in different orbits in a

atoms of an element?
The s orbital set contains a single orbital, and can hold max 2 electrons.
The p orbital set contains three orbitals, and can hold 6 electrons.
The d orbital set contains five orbitals, so it can hold 10 electrons.
The f orbital set contains seven orbitals, so it can hold 14 electrons.

1s2
2s2 2p6
3s2 3p6
4s2 3d10 4p6
5s2 4d10 5p6
6s2 4f14 5d10 6p6
7s2 5f14 6d10
A list of orbitals that will hold the electrons.

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Chapter 2. Atoms

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION

With electronic configuration elements are

represented numerically by the number of

electrons in their shells and number of shells. For

example;
Oxygen configuration = 2 ,
6
2 in 1st shell
+
o
2 6 = 8 16

6 in 2nd 8
shell
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Chapter 2. Atoms

DOT & CROSS DIAGRAMS

With Dot & Cross diagrams elements and

compounds are represented by Dots or Crosses to

show electrons, and circles to show the shells. For

example; X
X X 16
Oxygen
X O X O
X X 8
X

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 Chapter 2. Atoms

Q2. Write down the electronic configuration of

2He 36 K Po
4 84 208
82

Q3. Draw the dot and cross diagram for the following electrons

14
7 N 140
58 Ce

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Chapter 2. Atoms

+
IONS
+
+
+
+

the particles
that make up atoms
have either
positive or negative charge 16
Chapter 2. Atoms

positive and negative are opposites

+
+
+ they cancel each other out
+
+

Therefore net charge = zero

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Chapter 2. Atoms

the positive (+ve) particle is called Proton

the negative (-ve) particle is called Electron

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Chapter 2. Atoms

in an atom, protons ( + ) are in the center

and electrons ( ) are on the outside

+ ++
+
+

Therefore
only electrons ( ) can be added or removed 19
Chapter 2. Atoms

this is an atom with

5 electrons and
5 protons

+ ++
+
+

Therefore the atom is neutral

Hence net charge = zero 20
Chapter 2. Atoms

If an atom accepts an electron it becomes –ve charged and are

called anions

+ ++
+
+

charge = -1

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Chapter 2. Atoms

If an atom donates an electron it becomes +ve

charged and are called cations

+ ++
+
+

charge = +1

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Chapter 2. Atoms

WHEN REMOVING ELECTRONS

THE RESULTING CHARGE IS POSITIVE

neutral ?

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Chapter 2. Atoms

WHEN ADDING ELECTRONS

THE RESULTING CHARGE IS NEGATIVE

neutral -?

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Chapter 2. Atoms

An atom with positive or negative charge

is called an

ION
drum roll

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Atoms without charge are called ATOMS

Atoms with positive or negative charge

are called IONS

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Chapter 2. Atoms

Importance of Ions
Ions make up the salt in food and detergents

Required for the functions of brain

Makes up acids and bases

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 Chapter 2. Atoms

Exercise
Q4. Define atom, ion, atomic mass and atomic number
Q5. Find the atomic number, atomic mass and charge of the following
atom/element

53 X [p= 79 n= 72 e= 79]

164
z [p= n= e= 99]

Q6. Why it is important to study ions?

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