1) Atomic structure Flashcards
Atoms
mostly empty space surrounding a very small, dense nucleus that contains protons and neutrons, electrons are found in shells in the empty space around the nucleus
Table of subatomic particles
in notes
Atomic/proton number
- number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
- calculated by mass-neutrons
Mass/nucleon number
- total number of protons + neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
- calculated by mass number-atomic number
Electrons
- same number as protons
- a positively charged ion has lost electrons and a negatively charged ion has gained electrons
Distribution of mass and charge within an atom
- the mass of an atom is concentrated as it contains the protons and neutrons in the positively charged nucleus which is attracted to the negatively charged electrons orbiting around it
- the electrostatic attraction between the + nucleus and negatively charged electrons orbiting around it, is what holds the atom together
Protons in an electric field
- a beam of protons is deflected away from the + plate, towards the - plate
- proves that protons are positively charged
- as protons are deflected less than electrons this shows that protons are heavier than electrons
Neutrons in an electric field
- a beam of neutrons is not deflected at all
- proves that the particle is neutral and is not attracted to or repelled by the - or + plate
Electrons in an electric field
- a beam of electrons is fired past the electrically charged plates and deflected very easily away from the - plate towards the + plate
- proves that electrons are negative and that they have a very small mass
Atomic radius
a measure of the size of an atom and is half the distance between the 2 nuclei of 2 covalently bonded atoms of the same type
Trend across the period
- atomic radius decreases
- ionisation energy increases
- nuclear charge increases
- shielding remains relatively constant
- shell number is the same
- attraction between nucleus and electrons increases
Trends down the group
- atomic radius increases
- ionisation energy decreases
- nuclear charge increases
- shielding increases
- shell number increases
- attraction between nucleus and electrons decreases
Atomic radius decreases as you move across the period because…
- atomic number increases (increased positive nuclear charge) but at the same time extra electrons are added to the same principal quantum shell
- the larger the nuclear charge, the greater the pull of the nuclei on the electrons which results in smaller atoms
Atomic radius increases down the group because …
- increased number of shells
- electrons in the inner shells repel the electrons in the outermost shells, shielding them from the + nuclear charge and this weakens the pull of the nuclei on the electrons, resulting in larger atoms
Atomic radius increases at end of one period and beginning of the next period, because …
- increases between the noble gas end of each period and the alkali metal at the beginning of the next period as it has one extra principal quantum shell which increases shielding of the outermost electrons