Chapter 4

Atomic Structure
Class 8 - Dalal Simplified Middle School Chemistry
Solutions

The atom - ancient views

Question 1

State the main postulates of - Dalton's atomic theory. Explain how the modern atomic
theory contradicted Dalton's atomic theory.

Answer

Postulates of Dalton's atomic theory : Matter consists of particles called - atoms,

which are indivisible & cannot be created or destroyed.

1. Atoms of the same element are alike but differ from atoms of all other
elements.
2. Compounds or molecules are formed when atoms combine with other atoms in
simple whole number ratios.
3. An atom is the smallest unit of matter which takes part in a chemical reaction.

Contradiction :

Modern atomic theory Dalton's atomic theory

Atoms are destructible Atoms are indestructible
Atoms are divisible & consist of - protons, Atoms are indivisible & smallest
electrons & neutrons particle of an element.
Atoms of the same element may not be alike Atoms of the same element are alike
as seen in case of isotopes in all respect.

Sub-atomic particles
Question 2

With reference to the discovery of the structure of an atom, explain in brief - William
Crookes experiment for the discovery of cathode rays, followed by - J.J. Thomsons
experiment pertaining to the constituents of the cathode rays.
State which sub-atomic particle was discovered from his experiment.

Answer

William Crookes Experiment:

William Crookes passed an electric discharge through a discharge tube containing a

gas at low pressure. Blue rays were emitted from the cathode [negative plate] which
were called cathode rays.

J.J. Thompson's Experiment:

In his experiments, J.J. Thomson studied the characteristics and constituents of

cathode rays and observed that the rays have kinetic energy & cast a shadow of an
object in their path. They were deflected by a positively charged plate.

Discovery of electron:

This proved that the cathode rays consisted of negatively charged sub-atomic
particles called electrons.

Question 3

Explain in brief - Goldstein's experiment which led to the discovery of the proton and -
Lord Rutherford's experiment which led to the discovery of the atomic nucleus.

Answer

Goldstein's Experiment:

Goldstein used a modified cathode ray tube with a perforated cathode and observed
new type of rays produced from the anode passing through the hole of the perforated
cathode. These rays were called - Anode rays.

The positive rays were affected by electric & magnetic fields but in a direction
opposite to that of cathode rays.

Goldstein concluded that anode rays or positive rays consist of positively charged
particles called protons.

Lord Rutherford's Experiment:

Lord Rutherford projected alpha particles towards a thin gold foil in the path of the
rays.
He observed that most of the alpha particles went straight through the foil but some
were deflected slightly & some by large angles.

He concluded that an atom on the whole is relatively empty but consists of a

concentrated positive mass in the centre which lead to the deflection of the alpha
particles. Hence, Lord Rutherford discovered atomic nucleus.

Question 4

'Electrons revolve around the nucleus in fixed orbits or shells called energy levels'.
State how these energy levels are represented.

Answer

The energy levels 1,2,3... are represented by integer 'n' or as K, L, M, N...

Question 5

Draw a neat labeled diagram representing an atom. Name the three sub-atomic
particles in the atom & represent them symbolically showing the mass & charge of
each. State where the sub-atomic particles are present in the atom.

Answer

Below labelled diagram shows the representation of an atom as per the modern
atomic theory:

The three sub-atomic particles in the atom are:

S. Sub-atomic
Symbol
No. particle
1. Proton 1
+1p

2. Neutron 1
0n
 S. Sub-atomic
Symbol
No. particle
3. Electron 0
-1 e

Protons and neutrons are found inside the nucleus of the atom. Electrons are
distributed across energy levels outside of the nucleus.

Terms
Question 6

Define the term - 'atomic number' of an atom. If an atom 'A' has an atomic number of -
eleven, state the number of protons & electrons it contains.

Answer

Atomic number of an atom is equal to number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

As number of electrons = number of protons hence, atomic number is also equal to
the number of electrons in an element.

If atomic number [Z] is 11, the number of electrons = number of protons = 11.

Question 7

Define the term - 'mass number' of an atom. If an atom 'B' has mass number 35 &
atomic number 17, state the number of protons, electrons & neutrons it contains.

Answer

Mass number is equal to the total number of protons & neutrons in the atom of an
element.

If,
mass number [A] = 35,
atomic number [Z] = 17 then
number of protons = number of electrons = 17
number of neutrons [n] = A - Z = 35 - 17 = 18 neutrons

Question 8

State why the atomic weight of an element is also termed - relative atomic mass.

Answer
As atomic weight is the number of times, one atom of an element is heavier than the
mass of an atom of hydrogen or 1⁄12 the mass of an atom of carbon, hence, it is also
termed as Relative Atomic Mass.

Question 9

State how electrons are distributed in an atom. Explain in brief the rules which govern
their distribution.

Answer

Electrons revolve around the nucleus in imaginary paths called orbits or shells.
Different Orbits are K shell [first shell, n=1], L shell [second shell, n=2] M, N...... etc.

Rules governing the distribution of electrons are summarized below:

1. The maximum number of electrons in each shell or orbit is determined by the

formula 2n2, where n is the number of shell.
K shell, n=1, no. of electrons = 2 x 12 = 2
L shell, n=2, no. of electrons = 2 x 22 = 8
M shell, n=3, no. of electrons = 2 x 32 = 18
2. Electrons are not accommodated in a given shell, unless the inner shells are
filled. Shells are filled in step-wise manner.
3. The atom's outermost shell needs 2 electrons for stability (duplet rule) if it has
only one shell. If it has multiple shells, it requires 8 electrons (octet rule) in the
outermost shell for stability.

Question 10

If an atom 'A' has atomic number 19 & number 39, state -

(i) Its electronic configuration.

(ii) The number of valence electrons it possesses.

Answer

(i) As atomic number [Z] is 19 so electronic configuration = [2,8,8,1]

(ii) Number of valence electrons = 1

Arrangement of electrons
Question 11
Draw the atomic diagrams of the following elements showing the distribution of -
protons, neutrons & the electrons in the various shells of the atoms.

(a) Carbon - 126C

(b) Oxygen - 168O

(c) Phosphorus - 3115P

(d) Argon - 4018Ar

(e) Calcium - 4020Ca

[The upper number represents the - mass number & the lower number the - atomic
number e.g. calcium - mass number = 40, atomic number = 20]

Answer

(a) Carbon - 126C

(b) Oxygen - 168O

(c) Phosphorus - 3115P

(d) Argon - 4018Ar

(e) Calcium - 4020Ca

Valency
Question 12

'Valency' is the number of hydrogen atoms which can combine with [or displace] one
atom of the element [or radical] forming a compound. With reference to the above
definition of valency, state the valency of chlorine in hydrogen chloride, giving reasons.

Answer

In hydrogen chloride, one atom of hydrogen combines with one atom of chlorine so
valency of chlorine in hydrogen chloride is 1.

Question 13

'Valency' is also the number of electrons - donated or accepted by an atom so as to

achieve stable electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas'. With reference to
this definition -

(a) State what is meant by 'stable electronic configuration'.

(b) State why the valency of -

(i) sodium, magnesium & aluminium is: +1, +2 & +3 respectively.

(ii) chlorine, oxygen & nitrogen is: -1, -2 & -3 respectively.

Answer
(a) Stable electronic configuration — The atom's outermost shell needs 2 electrons for
stability (duplet rule) if it has only one shell. If it has multiple shells, it requires 8
electrons (octet rule) in the outermost shell for stability.

(b) (i) The atoms of sodium, magnesium and aluminium donate 1, 2 and 3 electrons,
respectively, in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration of 8 electrons (octet
rule) in the outermost shell. Hence, their valencies are +1, +2 & +3.

(ii) The atoms of chlorine, oxygen and nitrogen accept 1, 2 and 3 electrons,
respectively, in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration of 8 electrons (octet
rule) in the outermost shell. Hence, their valencies are -1, -2 & -3.

Formation of compounds
Question 14

With reference to formation of compounds from atoms by electron transfer -

electrovalency, state the basic steps in the conversion of sodium & chlorine atoms to
sodium & chloride ions leading to the formation of the compound - sodium chloride.

[electronic configuration of: Na = 2,8,1 & Cl = 2,8,7]

Answer

Formation of compounds from atoms by electron transfer

 Electronic configuration of Na = 2,8,1

 Nearest noble gas = Neon [2,8]
 Na loses one electron from outermost shell to attain stability
 Electronic configuration of Cl = 2,8,7
 Nearest noble gas = Argon [2,8,8]
 Cl gains one electron in outermost shell to attain stability.

Hence, the electron given by Na is gained by Cl, both attain a stable configuration and
sodium chloride is formed.

Objective Type Questions

Question 1

Match the statements in List I with the correct answer from List II.
 List I List II
1. Mass number of an atom is the number of protons and A: Electron
2. The sub-atomic particle with a negligible mass. B: Argon
3. An atom having stable electronic configuration. C: Nitrogen
4. A molecule formed by sharing of electrons [covalency]. D: Sodium
5. A metallic atom having unstable electronic configuration. E: Neutrons

Answer

List I List II
1. Mass number of an atom is the number of protons and E: Neutrons
2. The sub-atomic particle with a negligible mass. A: Electron
3. An atom having stable electronic configuration. B: Argon
4. A molecule formed by sharing of electrons [covalency]. C: Nitrogen
5. A metallic atom having unstable electronic configuration. D: Sodium

Question 2

Select the correct answer from the choice in bracket to complete each sentence:-

1. An element 'X' has six electrons in its outer or valence shell. Its valency is
............... [+2/-2/-1].
2. An element 'Y' has electronic configuration 2, 8, 6. The element 'Y' is a ...............
[metal/non-metal/noble gas].
3. A ............... [proton/neutron] is a sub-atomic particle with no charge and unit
mass.
4. An element Z with zero valency is a ............... [metal/noble gas/non-metal].
5. Magnesium atom with electronic configuration 2, 8, 2 achieves stable electronic
configuration by losing two electrons, thereby achieving stable electronic
configuration of the nearest noble gas ............... [neon/argon].

Answer

1. An element 'X' has six electrons in its outer or valence shell. Its valency is -2.
2. An element 'Y' has electronic configuration 2, 8, 6. The element 'Y' is a non-
metal.
3. A neutron is a sub-atomic particle with no charge and unit mass.
4. An element Z with zero valency is a noble gas.
5. Magnesium atom with electronic configuration 2, 8, 2 achieves stable electronic
configuration by losing two electrons, thereby achieving stable electronic
configuration of the nearest noble gas neon.
Question 3

The diagram represents an isotope of hydrogen [H]. Answer the following:

1. Are isotopes atoms of the same element or different elements.

2. Do isotopes have the same atomic number or the same mass number.
3. If an isotope of 'H' has mass no. = 2, how many electrons does it have.
4. If an isotope of 'H' has mass no. = 3, how many neutrons does it have.
5. Which sub-atomic particles in the 3 isotopes of 'H' are the same.

Answer

1. Isotopes are atoms of the same element.

2. Isotopes have same atomic number.
3. Number of electrons in an isotope of 'H' having mass no. = 2 is 1 as its atomic
number is 1.
4. Number of neutrons in an isotope of 'H' having mass no. [A] = 3 is 2, because,
atomic number [Z] is 1 so number of protons = number of electrons = 1 and
number of neutrons [n] = A - Z = 3 - 1 = 2.
5. Number of electrons and protons are same in the 3 isotopes of 'H' as atomic
number is the same.

Question 4

State the electronic configuration for each of the following:

1. Hydrogen [p = 1].
2. Boron [p = 5]
3. Nitrogen [p = 7].
4. Neon [p = 10]
5. Magnesium [p = 12].
6. Aluminium [p = 13].
7. Sulphur [p = 16].
 8. Argon [p = 18].
9. Potassium [p = 19].
10. Calcium [p = 20].

Answer

S. Electronic
Element
No. Configuration
1. Hydrogen [p = 1] 1
2. Boron [p = 5] 2, 3
3. Nitrogen [p = 7] 2, 5
4. Neon [p = 10] 2, 8
5. Magnesium [p = 12] 2, 8, 2
6. Aluminium [p = 13] 2, 8, 3
7. Sulphur [p = 16] 2, 8, 6
8. Argon [p = 18] 2, 8, 8
9. Potassium [p = 19] 2, 8, 8, 1
10. Calcium [p = 20] 2, 8, 8, 2

Question 5

Draw the structure of the following atoms showing the nucleus containing - protons,
neutrons and the orbits with the respective electrons:

1. Lithium [At. no. = 3, Mass no. = 7].

2. Carbon [At. no. = 6, Mass no. = 12].
3. Silicon [At. no. 14, Mass no. = 28].
4. Sodium [At. no. = 11, Mass no. = 23].
5. Isotopes of hydrogen [11H, 12H, 13H]

Answer

1. Lithium [At. no. = 3, Mass no. = 7]

2. Carbon [At. no. = 6, Mass no. = 12]

3. Silicon [At. no. 14, Mass no. = 28]

4. Sodium [At. no. = 11, Mass no. = 23]

5. Isotopes of hydrogen [11H, 12H, 13H]