Atomic Structure - Revision Guide
Definitions
**Atom**: The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties.
**Isotopes**: Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different
numbers of neutrons.
**Ionisation energy**: The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one
mole of gaseous atoms.
Key Concepts
Subatomic Particles
**Proton**: Positive charge (+1), mass = 1 amu, located in the nucleus.
**Neutron**: Neutral charge, mass = 1 amu, located in the nucleus.
**Electron**: Negative charge (-1), negligible mass, orbits in shells around the nucleus.
Atomic Number and Mass Number
**Atomic Number (Z)**: Number of protons in the nucleus, equal to the number of electrons
in a neutral atom.
**Mass Number (A)**: Total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Electron Arrangement
Electrons are arranged in energy levels or shells around the nucleus. Each shell can hold a
maximum number of electrons given by the formula \(2n^2\), where \(n\) is the shell
number.
The first shell can hold 2 electrons, the second can hold 8, the third 18, and so on.
Orbitals
**s-orbital**: Spherical in shape, holds up to 2 electrons.
**p-orbital**: Dumbbell-shaped, holds up to 6 electrons.
**d-orbital**: Complex shapes, holds up to 10 electrons.
**f-orbital**: Even more complex shapes, holds up to 14 electrons.
Isotopes and Relative Atomic Mass
**Isotopes**: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. While they
have identical chemical properties, their physical properties can differ.
**Relative Atomic Mass (Ar)**: The weighted mean mass of an atom compared to \(\frac{1}
{12}\)th the mass of a carbon-12 atom. Calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Ar} = \frac{\sum (\text{isotopic mass} \times \text{abundance})}{\text{total
abundance}} \]
Ionisation Energy Trends
**Across a Period**:
- Ionisation energy increases due to higher nuclear charge, resulting in stronger attraction
to outer electrons.
**Down a Group**:
- Ionisation energy decreases because of increased atomic radius and electron shielding,
reducing nuclear attraction.
Applications
**Mass Spectrometry**: Used to determine relative isotopic masses and abundances.
Key steps include ionisation, acceleration, deflection, and detection.
**Nuclear Physics**: Helps in studying radioactive decay, isotopes, and nuclear
reactions.
**Periodic Trends**: Explains variations in reactivity, melting points, and chemical
bonding across the periodic table.
Summary Points
Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Chemical properties are determined by electron configuration.
Ionisation energies reveal trends across periods and groups.
Isotopes differ in physical properties but not chemical behavior.
