4. Atomic Structure Flashcards
What is the radius of an atom?
The radius of an atom is about 1 × 10-10 metres
Describe the basic structure of an atom
The basic structure of an atom is a positively charged nucleus composed of both protons and neutrons surrounded by negatively charged electrons
Where is most of the mass of an atom concentrated?
Most of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus
Compare the radius of a nucleus to the radius of the atom
The radius of a nucleus is less than 1/10 000 (10,000 times smaller) of the radius of an atom
Describe the arrangement of electrons
Electrons are arranged at different distances from the nucleus (different energy levels)
Give 2 facts about energy levels
- Each energy level is at a fixed distance from the nucleus
- Energy levels that are further away from the nucleus are at a higher energy than those which are closer to the nucleus
Explain the 2 ways an atom’s electron arrangement can be changed
An atom’s electron arrangement can be changed through:
- Absorbing electromagnetic radiation - where electrons move further away from the nucleus to a higher energy level
- Emmitting electromagnetic radiation - where electrons move closer to the nucleus to a lower energy level
Describe and explain the overall charge of atoms
Atoms have no overall charge as the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus
What is the atomic number?
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom
What is the mass number?
The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom
What are isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element, which have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons, so they have different masses
How do atoms become positive ions?
Atoms become positive ions when they lose one or more of their outer electrons
What may lead to a scientific model being changed or replaced?
New expermental evidence that doesn’t agree with the existing theory
What were atoms thought to be before the discovery of the electron?
Before the discovery of the electron, Dalton thought that were atoms tiny spheres that could not be divided
What happened in 1897?
In 1897, J.J Thomson discovered the electron which led to his proposal of the plum pudding model in 1904
What did the plum pudding model suggest?
The plum pudding model suggested the the atom was a ball of positive charge with negative electrons embedded in it
How was the plum pudding model disproved?
The plum pudding model was disproved by the results from Rutherford’s alpha particle scattering experiment
Describe what happened in the alpha particle scattering experiment?
- A beam of positively charged alpha particles were aimed at a thin gold foil
- Most of the alpha particles passed straight through the gold foil without changing direction
- Some were slightly changed direction but passed through the foil
- Very few particles bounced back off the gold foil