Chapter 2/ 12 Flashcards
Atomic structure (82 cards)
Atom
Smallest particles that have the properties of an element
- each element contains only one type of atom
Structure of an atom
- atoms contain a positively charged dense nucleus composed of protons and neutrons (nucleons)
- surrounding nucleus, electrons exist in energy levels (principal energy levels) or electron shells
- main energy level/ shell is given an integer number, n
- it can hold a maximum number of electrons, 2n^2
n = 1, closest to the nucleus, and of lowest energy
The further the energy level is from the nucleus, the higher its number (n) and higher its energy
Proton
Relative charge: 1+
Relative mass: 1
Location: nucleus
Neutron
Relative charge: 0
Relative mass: 1
Location: nucleus
Electron
Relative charge: 1-
Relative mass: 1/2000
Location: surrounding the nucleus
Atoms of the same element
Every atom of the same element has the same number of protons in its nucleus
- no. of protons in the nucleus gives the atom its identity
Atomic number (Z)
Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
- tells you the electron configuration of an atom
Mass number (A)
Number of protons + number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
Mass of an atom
- mass of an atom is concentrated in the dense nucleus
- mass of electrons is negligible, they’re not taken into account when calculating the mass of an atom
- protons and neutrons have the same relative mass, hence, mass of a particular atom depends on total no. of protons and neutrons present in nucleus
Number of neutrons
Mass number - atomic number
Neutral atom
Number of protons = number of electrons
- opposite charges of proton and electron cancel out, leaving atom electrically neutral with no overall charge
Isotopes
Atoms of the same element that have the same no. of protons in the nucleus but different no. of neutrons
- same atomic no. but different mass no.
Radioisotopes
Many isotopes are radioactive
- radioactive isotopes = radioisotopes
- eg. iodine-131, cobalt-60
- used in radiotherapy (involves treating diseases eg. cancer with ionising radiation)
Properties of isotopes
- same chemical properties because they have the same no. of electrons (so, they take part in exactly the same chemical reactions)
- slightly different physical properties, enables isotopes of same element to be separated
Mass spectrometer
Used to determine the relative atomic mass of an element from its isotopic composition
Steps of mass spectrometer
- Sample to be analysed is vaporised to form a gas
- It’s bombarded by high-energy electrons, producing positive ions, then accelerated in an electric field (produce ions with a 1+ charge)
- Positive ions are deflected in a magnetic field depending on their mass: charge ratio
- Ions with a higher mass: charge ratio are deflected less in the magnetic field than ions with a lower mass: charge ratio
- Positive ions reach the detector, where they produce a mass spectrum
Mass spectrum
Shows relative abundance on y-axis and mass: charge ratio on x-axis
Relative abundance
Percentage of that isotope that occurs in nature
Isotopic mass
For singly-charged ions (Ne+) the mass: charge ratio values give mass no. of isotope detected (isotopic mass)
RAM equation
RAM = (abundance x mass)+(abundance x mass) / 100
Bohr model of the atom
Proposed by Niels Bohr, 1914
- electrons can only occupy certain energy levels within the atom
- can transition between these energy levels by absorbing or emitting exact amounts of energy
Sub-levels
- contain a fixed no. of orbitals
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
- it can hold 2 electrons of opposite spin
Energy levels and sub-shells
- Main energy levels are split into sub-levels, assigned a number and letters s, p, d or f
- number refers to main energy level, and letter refers to atomic orbital
Atomic orbital
Represents a region of space where there is a high probability of finding an electron
Four atomic orbitals: s, p, d or f s = 2 p = 6 d = 10 f = 14