1. Atomic Structure Flashcards
What model used to display atoms was initially thought to be scientifically correct?
- Plum pudding model
Describe the plum pudding model
- Atoms consisted of a sphere of positive charge
- With small negative charges distributed evenly within in
What model is used to display atoms in modern day?
- Electron shell model
An early model of the atom was the Bohr model (GCSE model) (2 electrons in first shell, 8 in second etc.) with electrons in spherical orbits. Early models of atomic structure predicted that atoms and ions with noble gas electron arrangements should be stable.
Why is the nuclear model still used by scientists when more accurate models have since been developed?
- The model is easy to draw and understand
- Fits well with most observations e.g. bonding, ionisation, energy trends
State the force that holds protons and electrons together
- Electrostatic force
State the force that holds protons and neutrons together
- Strong nuclear force
Describe the electron shell model
- Atom consists of a small, dense central nucleus
- Surrounded by orbiting electrons in electron shells
When was the electron shell model developed?
- During the discovery of Rutherford ‘s scattering experiment in 1911
What does the nucleus consist of?
- Protons and neutrons
- Giving it an overall positive charge
- It contains almost the entire mass of the atom
What characteristics does a neutral atom have in terms of its subatomic particles?
- The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons due to the relative charges
State the relative charge, mass, and position of a proton
- Charge: +1
- Mass: 1
- Position: nucleus
How would you calculate the number of neutrons?
- Mass number - atomic number
State the relative charge, mass, and position of a neutron
- Charge: 0
- Mass: 1
- Position: nucleus
State the relative charge, mass, and position of an electron
- Charge: -1
- Mass: 1/1840 (negligible)
- Position: Orbitals
What does the maximum number of orbiting electrons that can be held by any single shell depend on?
- The number of shells
How can you calculate the max number of orbiting electrons that can be held by any single shell?
- 2n²
e.g. electrons in shell 2 = 2(2²) = 8 electrons
What must happen before the next electron shell is filled?
- Each electron shell must fill before the next one can hold any electrons
State the symbol that represents mass number
- A
How can mass number be calculated?
- Sum of protons and neutrons in an atom
State the symbol that represents atomic mass
- Z
What is the atomic number equal to?
- Equal to the number of protons in an atom
Define relative atomic mass
- The mean mass of an atom taking into account all of its isotopes compared to the mass of carbon-12 on a scale which an atom of C-12 has a mass of 12
What does the relative atomic mass take into account?
- The relative abundances of the different isotopes of an element
State the symbol that represents relative atomic mass
- Ar