Student Topic Sheet

IBH1 Chemistry

UNIT Duration (hours): 8

Structure 1.2 and 1.3 : The nuclear atom and electron configurations

Approaches to Learning

Approaches to Learning Details

See individual sub-topics for Content/Skills/Concepts.

TOK Connections and Focus

Assessments

Summative Assessment - to -

Test - examination-style questions (quarter 1)

Subunits

1.2.1,1.2.2,1.3.3-1.3.5 Atomic structure

Content

Guiding questions: How do nuclei of atoms differ? How can we model the energy states of electrons in atoms?

Structure 1.2.1:
Atoms contain a positively charged, dense nucleus composed of protons and neutrons (nucleons). Negatively charged electrons occupy the
space outside the nucleus.
Use nuclear symbol, AZ X, notation to deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms and ions.
Relative masses and charges of the subatomic particles should be known; actual values are given in the data booklet.
The mass of the electron can be considered negligible.
Guidance:
History of the atom presentations (atom history play available in MYP Patterns and Properties)
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Structure 1.3 - What determines the different chemical properties of atoms?
Structure 3.1- How does the atomic number relate to the position of an element in the periodic table?

Structure 1.2.2:
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Perform calculations involving non-integer relative atomic masses and abundance of isotopes from given data.
Differences in the physical properties of isotopes should be understood.
Specific examples of isotopes need not be learned.
Nature of Science:
Reactivity 3.4 - How can isotope tracers provide evidence for a reaction mechanism?

Structure 1.3.3:
The main energy level is given an integer number, n, and can hold a maximum of 2n2 electrons.
Deduce the maximum number of electrons that can occupy each energy level.
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Structure 3.1: How does an element’s highest main energy level relate to its period number in the periodic table?

Structure 1.3.5:
Sub-levels contain a fixed number of orbitals, regions of space where there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Each orbital has a defined energy state for a given electronic configuration and chemical environment and can hold two electrons of opposite
spin.
Apply the Aufbau principle, Hund’s rule and the Pauli exclusion principle to write electron configurations for atoms and ions up to Z = 36.
Full electron configurations and condensed electron configurations using the nobel gas core should be covered.
Orbital diagrams, i.e. arrow-in-box diagrams, should be used to represent the filling and relative energy of orbitals.
The electron configurations of Cr and Cu as exceptions should be covered.

Structure 1.3.4:
A more detailed model of the atom describes the division of the main energy level into s, p, dand f sub-levels of successively higher energies.
Recognise the shape and orientation of an s atomic orbital and the three p atomic orbitals (px , py and pz atomic orbitals).
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Structure 3.1- What is the relationship between energy sublevels and the block nature of the periodic table?

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Content

Essential Idea:Interpret mass spectra in terms of identity and relative abundance of isotopes.
The operational details of the mass spectrometer will not be assessed.

Syllabus and cross-curricular links:

1.3.1-1.3.2 Emission spectra

Content

Essential Idea: Understanding energy states of electrons in atoms.

Structure 1.3.1:
Emission spectra are produced by atoms emitting photons when electrons in excited states return to lower energy levels.
Quantitatively describe the relationship between colour, wavelength, frequency and energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Distinguish between a continuous spectrum and a line spectrum.
Details of the electromagnetic spectrum are given in the data booklet.

Structure 1.3.2:
The line emission spectrum of hydrogen provides evidence for the existence of electrons in discrete energy levels, which converge at higher
energies.
Describe the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom, including the relationships between the lines and energy transitions to the first, second
and third energy levels.
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Inquiry 2 :
In the study of emission spectra from gaseous elements and of light, what qualitative and quantitative data can be collected from instruments
such as gas discharge tubes and prisms?
Nature of science:
Structure 1.2 - How do emission spectra provide evidence for the existence of different elements?
Experimental evidence to support theories—emission spectra provide evidence for the existence of energy levels.
Developments in scientific research follow improvements in apparatus—the use of electricity and magnetism in Thomson’s cathode rays.
Theories being superseded—quantum mechanics is among the most current models of the atom.
Use theories to explain natural phenomena—line spectra explained by the Bohr model of the atom.

HL 1.3.6-1.3.7 Limit of convergence and ionisation energy.

Content

Essential Idea: The quantized nature of energy transitions is related to the energy states of electrons in atoms and molecules.
Trends in first ionization energy across periods account for the existence of main energy levels and sub-levels in atoms.

Structure 1.3.6:
In an emission spectrum, the limit of convergence at higher frequency corresponds to ionisation.
Explain the trends and discontinuities in first ionisation energy (IE) across a period and down a group.
Calculate the value of the first ionization energy from spectral data which gives the wavelength or frequency of the convergence limit.
The value of the Planck constant (h) and the equations E= hf and c= λf are given in the data booklet.
Solve problems using E = hf and c= λf
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Structure 3.1- How does the trend in IE values across a period and down a group explain the trends in properties of metals and non-metals?
Nature of Science:
Tool 3, Reactivity 3.1- Why are log scales useful when discussing H + and IEs?

Structure 1.3.7:
Successive ionisation energy (IE) data for an element give information about its electron configuration.
Deduce the group of an element from its successive ionization energy data.
Databases are useful for compiling graphs of trends in IEs.
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
AHLStructure 3.1 - How do patterns of successive IEs of transition elements help to explain the variable oxidation states of these elements?

Utilization:
Electron microscopy has led to many advances in biology, such as the ultrastructure of cells and viruses.
The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) uses a stylus of a single atom to scan a surface and provide a 3-D image at the atomic level.
Absorption and emission spectra are widely used in astronomy to analyse light from stars.
Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a very sensitive means of determining the presence and concentration of metallic elements.
Fireworks—emission spectra.

Reflection

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