Structure of Atom Class 11 Notes Chemistry Chapter 2

• Discovery of Electron—Discharge Tube Experiment

In 1879, William Crooks studied the conduction of electricity through gases at low pressure. He performed the
experiment in a discharge tube which is a cylindrical hard glass tube about 60 cm in length. It is sealed at both
the ends and fitted with two metal electrodes as shown in Fig. 2.1.

The electrical discharge through the gases could be observed only at very low pressures and at very high
voltages.
The pressure of different gases could be adjusted by evacuation. When sufficiently high voltage is applied
across the electrodes, current starts flowing through a stream of particles moving in the tube from the negative
electrode (cathode) to the positive electrode (anode). These were called cathode rays or cathode ray particles.
• Properties of Cathode Rays
(i) Cathode rays travel in straight line.
(ii) Cathode rays start from cathode and move towards the anode.
(iii) These rays themselves are not visible but their behaviour can be observed with the help of certain kind of
materials (fluorescent or phosphorescent) which glow when hit by them.
(iv) Cathode rays consist of negatively charged particles. When electric field is applied on the cathode rays with
the help of a pair of metal plates, these are found to be deflected towards the positive plate indicating the
presence of negative charge.
(v) The characteristics of cathode rays do not depend upon the material of electrodes and the nature of gas
present in the cathode ray’tube.
• Determination of Charge/Mass (elm) Ratio for Electrons
J. J. Thomson for the first time experimentally determined charge/mass ratio called elm ratio for the electrons.
For this, he subjected the beam of electrons released in the discharge tube as cathode rays to influence the
electric and magnetic fields. These were acting perpendicular to one another as well as to the path followed by
electrons.
According to Thomson, the amount of deviation of the particles from their path in presence of electrical and
magnetic field depends upon following factors:
(i) Greater the magnitude of the charge on the particle, greater is the interaction with the electric or magnetic
field and thus greater is the deflection.
(ii) The mass of the particle — lighter the particle, greater the deflection.
(iii) The deflection of electrons from their original path increases with the increase in the voltage across the
electrodes or strength of the magnetic field.
By carrying out accurate measurements on the amount of deflections observed by the electrons on the electric
field strength or magnetic field strength, Thomson was able to determine the value of
e/me = 1.758820 x 1011 C kg-1 where me = Mass of the electron in kg
e = magnitude of charge on the electron in coulomb (C).
• Charge on the Electron
R.A. Millikan devised a method known as oil drop experiment to determine the charge on the electrons.

• Discovery of Proton—Anode Rays

In 1886, Goldstein modified the discharge tube by using a perforated cathode. On reducing the pressure, he
observed a new type of luminous rays passing through the holes or perforations of the cathode and moving in a
direction opposite to the cathode rays. These rays were named as positive rays or anode rays or as canal rays.
Anode rays are not emitted from the anode but from a space between anode and cathode.
• Properties of Anode Rays
(i) The value of positive charge (e) on the particles constituting anode rays depends upon the nature of the gas
in the discharge tube.
(ii) The charge to mass ratio of the particles is found to depend on the gas from which these originate.
(iii) Some of the positively charged particles carry a multiple of the fundamental unit of electrical charge.
(iv) The behaviour of these particles in the magnetic or electric field is opposite to that observed for electron or
cathode rays.
• Proton
The smallest and lightest positive ion was obtained from hydrogen and was called proton. Mass of proton =
1.676 x 10-27 kg
Charge on a proton = (+) 1.602 x 10-19 C
• Neutron
It is a neutral particle. It was discovered by Chadwick (1932).
By the bombardment of thin sheets of beryllium with fast moving a-particles he observed • that highly
penetrating rays consist of neutral particles which were named neutrons.
• Thomson Model of Atom

(i) J. J. Thomson proposed that an atom may be regarded as a sphere of approximate radius 1CT8 cm carrying
positive charge due to protons and in which negatively charged electrons are embedded.
(ii) In this model, the atom is visualized as a pudding or cake of positive charge with electrons embedded into it.
(iii) The mass of atom is considered to be evenly spread over the atom according to this model.
Drawback of Thomson Model of Atom
This model was able to explain the overall neutrality of the atom, it could not satisfactorily, explain the results of
scattering experiments carried out by Rutherford in 1911.
• Rutherford’s a-particle Scattering Experiment
Rutherford in 1911, performed some scattering experiments in which he bombarded thin foils of metals like
gold, silver, platinum or copper with a beam of fast moving a-particles. The thin gold foil had a circular
fluorescent zinc sulphide screen around it. Whenever a-particles struck the screen, a tiny flash of light was
produced at that point.
From these experiments, he made the following observations:
–

(i) Most of the a-particles passed through the foil without undergoing any deflection,
(ii) A few a-particles underwent deflection through small angles.
(iii) Very few mere deflected back i.e., through an angle of nearly 180°.
From these observations, Rutherford drew the following conclusions:
(i) Since most of the a-particles passed through the foil without undergoing any deflection, there must be
sufficient empty space within the atom.
(ii) A small fraction of a-particles was deflected by small angles. The positive charge has to be concentrated in
a very small volume that repelled and deflected a few positively charged a-particles. This very small portion of
the atom was called nucleus.
(iii) The volume of nucleus is very small as compared to total volume of atom.
• Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of an Atom
(i) The positive charge and most of the mass of the atom was densely concentrated in an extremely small
region. This very small portion of the atom was called nucleus by Rutherford.
(ii) The nucleus is surrounded by electrons that move around the nucleus with a very high speed in circular
paths called orbits.
(iii) Electrons and nucleus are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction.
• Atomic Number
The number of protons present in the nucleus is equal to the atomic number (z). For example, the number of
protons in the hydrogen nucleus is 1, in sodium atom it is 11, therefore, their atomic numbers are 1 and 11. In
order to keep the electrical neutrality, the number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons
(atomic number, z). For example, number of electrons in hydrogen atom and sodium atom are 1 and 11
respectively.
Atomic Number (z) = Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
= Number of electrons in a neutral atom.
• Mass Number
Number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus are collectively known as nucleons. The total number
of nucleons is termed as mass number (A) of the atom.
Mass Number (A) = Number of protons (p) + Number of neutrons (n).
• Isotopes
Atoms with identical atomic number but different atomic mass number are known as Isotopes.
Isotopes of Hydrogen:

These three isotopes are shown in the figure below:

Characteristics of Isotopes
(i) Since the isotopes of an element have the same atomic number, but different mass number, the nuclei of
isotopes contain the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons.
(ii) Since, the isotopes differ in their atomic masses, all the properties of the isotopes depending upon the mass
are different.
(iii) Since, the chemical properties are mainly determined by the number of protons in the nucleus, and the
number of electrons in the atom, the different isotopes of an element exhibit similar chemical properties. For
example, all the isotopes of carbon on burning give carbon dioxide.
• Isobars

• Drawbacks of Rutherford Model

(i) When a body is moving in an orbit, it achieves acceleration. Thus, an electron moving around nucleus in an
orbit is under acceleration.
According to Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory, charged particles when accelerated must emit electromagnetic
radiations. Therefore, an electron in an orbit will emit radiations, the energy carried by radiation comes from
electronic motion. Its path will become closer to nucleus and ultimately should spiral into nucleus within . 10-8
s. But actually this does not happen.
Thus, Rutherford’s model cannot explain the stability of atom if the motion of electrons is described on the
basis of classical mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
(ii) Rutherford’s model does not give any idea about distribution of electrons around the nucleus and about their
energies.
• Developments Leading to the Bohr’s Model of Atom
Two developments played a major role in the formulation of Bohr’s model of atom. These were:
(i) Dual character of the electromagnetic radiation which means that radiations possess both wave like and
particle like properties.
(ii) Experimental results regarding atomic spectra which can be explained only by assuming quantized
electronic energy levels in atoms.
• Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation (Electromagnetic Wave Theory)
This theory was put forward by James Clark Maxwell in 1864. The main points of this theory are as follows:
(i) The energy is emitted from any source (like the heated rod or the filament of a bulb through which electric
current is passed) continuously in the form of radiations and is called the radiant energy.
(ii) The radiations consist of electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other and both
perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radiation.
(iii) The radiations possess wave character and travel with the velocity of light 3 x 10 8 m/sec.
(iv) These waves do not require any material medium for propagation. For example, rays from the sun reach us
through space which is a non-material medium.
• Characteristics of a Wave
Wavelength: It is defined as the distance between any two consecutive crests or troughs. It is represented by X
and its S.I. unit is metre.

Frequency: Frequency of a wave is defined as the number of waves passing through a point in one second. It
is represented by v (nu) and is expressed in Hertz (Hz).
1 Hz = 1 cycle/sec.
Velocity: Velocity of a wave is defined as the linear distance travelled by the wave in one second.
It is represented by c and is expressed in cm/sec or m/sec.
Amplitude: Amplitude of a wave is the height of the crest or the depth of the through. It is represented by V and
is expressed in the units of length.
Wave Number: It is defined as the number of waves present in 1 metre length. Evidently it will be equal to the
reciprocal of the wavelength. It is represented by bar v (read as nu bar).
Electromagnetic Spectrum: When electromagnetic radiations are arranged in order of their increasing
wavelengths or decreasing frequencies, the complete spectrum obtained is called electromagnetic spectrum.

• Limitations of Electromagnetic Wave Theory

Electromagnetic wave theory was successful in explaining properties of light such as interference, diffraction
etc; but it could not explain the following:
(i) The phenomenon of black body radiation.
(ii) The photoelectric effect.
(iii) The variation of heat capacity of solids as a function of temperature.
(iv) The line spectra of atoms with reference to hydrogen.
• Black Body Radiation
The ideal body, which emits and absorbs all frequencies is called a black body and the radiation emitted by
such a body is called black body radiation. The. exact frequency distribution of the emitted radiation from a
black body depends only on its temperature.
At a given temperature, intensity of radiation emitted increases with decrease of wavelength, reaches a
maximum value at a given wavelength and then starts decreasing with further decrease of wavelength as
shown in Fig 2.6.
• Planck’s Quantum Theory
To explain the phenomenon of ‘Black body radiation’ and photoelectric effect, Max Planck in 1900, put forward
a theory known as Planck’s Quantum Theory.
This theory was further extended by Einstein in 1905. The main points of this theory was as follows: ,
(i) The radiant energy emitted or absorbed in the form of small packets of energy. Each such packets of energy
is called a quantum.
(ii) The energy of each quantum is directly proportional to the frequency of the radiation

where h is a proportionality constant, called Planck’s constant. Its value is equal to 6.626 x 10 -34 Jsec.
• Photoelectric Effect
Hertz, in 1887, discovered that when a beam of light of certain frequency strikes the surface of some metals,
electrons are emitted or ejected from the metal surface. The phenomenon is called photoelectric effect.
Observations in Photoelectric Effect
(i) Only photons of light of certain minimum frequency called threshold frequency (v 0) can cause the
photoelectric effect. The value of v0 is different for different metals.
(ii) The kinetic energy of the electrons which are emitted is directly proportional to the frequency of the striking
photons and is quite independent of their intensity.
(iii) The number of electrons that are ejected per second from the metal surface depends upon the intensity of
the striking photons or radiations and not upon their frequency.
Explanation of Photoelectric Effect
Einstein in (1905) was able to give an explanation of the different points of the photoelectric effect using
Planck’s quantum theory as under:
(i) Photoelectrons are ejected only when the incident light has a certain minimum frequency (threshold
frequency v0)
(ii) If the frequency of the incident light (v) is more than the threshold frequency (v 0), the excess energy (hv –
hv0) is imparted to the electron as kinetic energy.
K.E. of the ejected electron

energy of the emitted electron.

(iii) On increasing the intensity of light, more electrons are ejected but the energies of the electrons are not
altered.
• Dual Behaviour of Electromagnetic Radiation
From the study of behaviour of light, scientists came to the conclusion that light and other electromagnetic
radiations have dual nature. These are wave nature as well as particle nature. Whenever radiation interacts
with matter, it displays particle like properties in contrast to the wavelike properties (interference and diffraction)
which it exhibits when it propagates. Some microscopic particles, like electrons, also exhibit this wave-particle
duality.
• Spectrum
When a ray of white light is passed through a prism the wave with shorter wavelength bends more than the one
with a longer wavelength. Since ordinary white light consists of waves with all the wavelengths in the visible
range, array of white light is spread out into a series of coloured bands called spectrum. The light of red colour
which has longest wavelength is deviated the least while the violet light, which has shortest wavelength is
deviated the most.
Continuous Spectrum
When a ray of white light is analysed by passing through a prism it is observed that it splits up into seven
different wide bands of colours from violet to red (like rainbow). These colours are so continuous that each of
them merges into the next. Hence, the spectrum is called continuous spectrum.
Emission Spectra
Emission Spectra is noticed when the radiations emitted from a source are passed through a prism and then
received on the photographic plate. Radiations can be emitted in a number of ways such as:
(i) from sun or glowing electric bulb.
(ii) by passing electric discharge through a gas at low pressure.
(iii) by heating a substance to high temperature.
Line Spectra
When the vapours of some volatile substance are allowed to fall on the flame of a Bunsen burner and then
analysed with the help of a spectroscope. Some specific coloured lines appear on the photographic plate which
are different for different substances. For example, sodium or its salts emit yellow light while potassium or its
salts give out violet light.
Absorption Spectra
When white light is passed through the vapours of a substance and the transmitted light is then allowed to
strike a prism, dark lines appear in the otherwise continuous spectrum. The dark lines indicate that the
radiations corresponding to them were absorbed by the substance from the white light. This spectrum is called
absorption spectrum.
Dark lines appear exactly at the same positions where the lines in the emission spectra appear.
• Line Spectrum of Hydrogen
When electric discharge is passed through hydrogen gas enclosed in discharge tube under low pressure and
the emitted light is analysed by a spectroscope, the spectrum consists of a large number of lines which are
grouped into different series. The complete spectrum is known as hydrogen spectrum.
On the basis of experimental observations, Johannes Rydberg noted that all series of lines in the hydrogen
spectrum could be described by the following expression:
Rydberg in 1890, and has given a simple theoretical equation for the calculation of wavelengths and wave
numbers of the spectral lines in different series of hydrogen spectrum. The equation is known as Rydberg
formula (or equation).

This relation is valid for hydrogen atom only. For other species,

where Z is the atomic number of the species.

Here RH = constant, called Rydberg constant for hydrogen and n1 , n2 are integers (n2 > n1)
For any particular series, the value of n1 is constant while that of n2 changes. For example,
For Lyman series, n1= 1, n2= 2, 3, 4, 5………..
For Balmer series, n1 = 2, n2 = 3, 4, 5, 6………..
For Paschen series, n1= 3, n2 = 4, 5, 6, 7………..
For Brackett series,n1 = 4, n2 = 5, 6, 7, 8………..
For Pjund series, n1 =5, n2 = 6, 7, 8, 9………..
Thus, by substituting the values of n1 and n2 in the above equation, wavelengths and wave number of different
spectral lines can be calculated. When n1 = 2, the expression given above is called Balmer’s formula.
• Bohr’s Model of Atom
Niels Bohr in 1913, proposed a new model of atom on the basis of Planck’s Quantum Theory. The main points
of this model are as follows:
(i) In an atom, the electrons revolve around the nucleus in certain definite circular paths called orbits.
(ii) Each orbit is associated with definite energy and therefore these are known as energy
levels or energy shells. These are numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4……….. or K, L, M, N………..
(iii) Only those energy orbits are permitted for the electron in which angular momentum of the electron is a
whole number multiple of h/2π
Angular momentum of electron (mvr) = nh/2π (n = 1, 2, 3, 4 etc).
m = mass of the electron.
v = tangential velocity of the revolving electron.
r = radius of the orbit.
h = Planck’s constant.
n is an integer.
(iv) As long as electron is present in a particular orbit, it neither absorbs nor loses energy and its energy,
therefore, remains constant.
(v) When energy is supplied to an electron, it absorbs energy only in fixed amounts as quanta and jumps to
higher energy state away from the nucleus known as excited state. The excited state is unstable, the electron
may jump back to the lower energy state and in doing so, it emits the same amount of energy. (∆E = E 2 – E1).
• Achievements of Bohr’s Theory
1. Bohr’s theory has explained the stability of an atom.
2. Bohr’s theory has helped in calculating the energy of electron in hydrogen atom and one electron species.
The mathematical expression for the energy in the nth orbit is,

• Limitations of Bohr’s Model

(i) The theory could not explain the atomic spectra of the atoms containing more than one electron or
multielectron atoms.
(ii) Bohr7s theory failed to explain the fine structure of the spectral lines.
(iii) Bohr’s theory could not offer any satisfactory explanation of Zeeman effect and Stark effect.
(iv) Bohr’s theory failed to explain the ability of atoms to form molecule formed by chemical bonds.
(v) It was not in accordance with the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
• Dual Behaviour of Matter (de Broglie Equation)
de Broglie in 1924, proposed that matter, like radiation, should also exhibit dual behaviour i.e., both particle like
and wave like properties. This means that like photons, electrons also have momentum as well as wavelength.
From this analogy, de Broglie gave the following relation between wavelength (λ) and momentum (p) of a
material particle.

• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle

It states that, “It is impossible to determine simultaneously, the exact position and exact momentum (or
velocity) of an electron”.
• Significance of Uncertainty Principle
(i) It rules out existence of definite paths or trajectories of electrons and other similar particles.
(ii) The effect of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is significant only for microscopic objects and is negligible
for macroscopic objects.
• Reasons for the Failure of Bohr Model
(i) The wave character of the electron is not considered in Bohr Model.
(ii) According to Bohr Model an orbit is a clearly defined path and this path can completely be defined only if
both the position and the velocity of the electron are known exactly at the same time. This is not possible
according to the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
• Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom
Quantum mechanics: Quantum mechanics is a theoretical science that deals with the study of the motions of
the microscopic objects that have both observable wave like and particle like properties.
Important Features of Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom
(i) The energy of electrons in atom is quantized i.e., can only have certain values.
(ii) The existence of quantized electronic energy level is a direct result of the wave like properties of electrons.
(iii) Both the exact position and exact velocity of an electron in an atom cannot be determined simultaneously.
(iv) An atomic orbital has wave function φ. There are many orbitals in an atom. Electron occupy an atomic
orbital which has definite energy. An orbital cannot have more than two electrons. The orbitals are filled in
increasing order of energy. All the information about the electron in an atom is stored in orbital wave function φ.
(v) The probability of finding electron at a point within an atom is proportional to square of orbital wave function
i.e., |φ2|at that point. It is known as probability density and is always positive.
From the value of φ2 at different points within atom, it is possible to predict the region around the nucleus where
electron most probably will be found.
• Quantum Numbers
Atomic orbitals can be specified by giving their corresponding energies and angular momentums which are
quantized (i.e., they have specific values). The quantized values can be expressed in terms of quantum
number. These are used to get complete information about electron i.e., its location, energy, spin etc.
Principal Quantum Number (n)
It is the most important quantum number since it tells the principal energy level or shell to which the electron
belongs. It is denoted by the letter V and can have any integral value except zero, i.e., n = 1, 2, 3, 4………..
etc.
The various principal energy shells are also designated by the letters, K, L, M, N, O, P ….. etc. Starting from
the nucleus.
The principal quantum number gives us the following information:
(i) It gives the average distance of the electron from the nucleus.
(ii) It completely determines the energy of the electron in hydrogen atom and hydrogen like particles.
(iii) The maximum number of electrons present in any principal shell is given by 2n 2 where n is the number of
the principal shell.
Azimuthal or Subsidiary or Orbital Angular Quantum Number (l)
It is found that the spectra of the elements contain not only the main lines but there are many fine lines also
present. This number helps to explain the fine lines of the spectrum.
The azimuthal quantum number gives the following information:
(i) The number of subshells present in the main shell.
(ii) The angular momentum of the electron present in any subshell.
(in) The relative energies of various subshells.
(iv) The shapes of the various subshells present within the same principal shell.
This quantum number is denoted by the letter T. For a given value of n, it can have any value ranging from 0 to
n – 1. For example,
For the 1st shell (k), n = 1, l can have only one value i.e., l = 0 For n = 2, the possible value of l can be 0 and 1.
Subshells corresponding to different values of l are represented by the following symbols:
value of l 0 1 2 3 4 5 ……………..
Notation for subshell s p d f g h ………………..
Magnetic Orbital Quantum Number (m or m1)
The magnetic orbital quantum number determines the number of preferred orientations of the electrons present
in a subshell. Since each orientation corresponds to an orbital, therefore, the magnetic orbital quantum number
determines the number of orbitals present in any subshell.
The magnetic quantum number is denoted by letter m or ml and for a given value of l, it can have all the values
ranging from – l to + l including zero.
Thus, for energy value of l, m has 2l + 1 values.
For example,
For l = 0 (s-subshell), ml can have only one value i.e., m1 = 0.
This means that s-subshell has only one orientation in space. In other words, s-subshell has only one orbital
called s-orbital.
Spin Quantum Number (S or ms)
This quantum number helps to explain the magnetic properties of the substances. A spinning electron behaves
like a micromagnet with a definite magnetic moment. If an orbital contains two electrons, the two magnetic
moments oppose and cancel each other.
• Shapes of s-orbitals
s-orbital is present in the s-subshell. For this subshell, l = 0 and ml = 0. Thus, s-orbital with only one orientation
has a spherical shape with uniform electron density along all the three axes.
The probability of Is electron is found to be maximum near the nucleus and decreases with the increase in the
distance from the nucleus. In 2s electron, the probability is also maximum near the nucleus and decreases to
zero probability. The spherical empty shell for 2s electron is called nodal surface or simply node.

• Shapes of p-orbitals
p-orbitals are present in the p-subshell for which l = 1 and m 1 can have three possible orientations – 1, 0, + 1.
Thus, there are three orbitals in the p-subshell which are designated as p x, py and pz orbitals depending upon
the axis along which they are directed. The general shape of a p-orbital is dumb-bell consisting of two portions
known as lobes. Moreover, there is a plane passing through the nucleus along which finding of the electron
density is almost nil. This is known as nodal plane as shown in the fig.
From the dumb-bell pictures, it is quite obvious that unlike s-orbital, a p-orbital is directional in nature and
hence it influences the shapes of the molecules in the formation of which it participates.
• Shapes of d-orbitals
d-orbitals are present in d-subshell for which l = 2 and m[ = -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2. This means that there are five
orientations leading to five different orbitals.

• Aufbau Principle
The principle states: In the ground state of the atoms, the orbitals are filled in order of their increasing energies.
In other words, electrons first occupy the lowest energy orbital available to them and enter into higher energy
orbitals only after the lower energy orbitals are filled.
The order in which the energies of the orbitals increase and hence the order in which the orbitals are filled is as
follows:
Is, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, id, 5p, 6s, if, 3d, 6p, 7s, 5f 6d, 7p
The order may be remembered by using the method given in fig. 2.11.
• Pauli Exclusion Principle
According to this principle, no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.
Pauli exclusion principle can also be stated as: Only two electrons may exist in the same orbital and these
electrons must have opposite spins.
• Hund’s Rule of Maximum Multiplicity
It states that: pairing of electrons in the orbitals belonging to the same subshell (p, d or f) does not take place
until each orbital belonging to that subshell has got one electron each i.e., it is singly occupied.
• Electronic Configuration of Atoms
The distribution of electrons into orbitals of an atom is called its electronic configuration. The electronic
configuration of different atoms can be represented in two ways.
For example:
• Causes of Stability of Completely Filled and Half Filled Subshells
The completely filled and half filled subshells are stable due to the following reasons:

1. Symmetrical distribution of electrons: The completely filled or half filled subshells have symmetrical
distribution of electrons in them and are therefore more stable.
2. The stabilizing effect arises whenever two or more electrons with same spin are present in the degenrate
orbitals of a subshell. These electrons tend to exchange their positions
and the energy released due to their exchange is called exchange energy. The number of exchanges that can
takes place is maximum when the subshell is either half filled or completely filled.
-As a result the exchange energy is maximum and so is the stability.