Structure of Atom – 30 Most Likely
Questions with Answers
1. ⭐ State the postulates of Bohr’s model of the atom.
1. Electrons revolve in fixed orbits (energy levels).
2. Energy is emitted or absorbed only when electrons jump between orbits.
3. Angular momentum is quantized: mvr = nh/2π.
2. ⭐ What is the difference between orbit and orbital?
- Orbit: Fixed circular path in Bohr's model.
- Orbital: Region of space with high probability of finding an electron (quantum mechanical
model).
3. ⭐ Derive the expression for the radius of the nth orbit of the hydrogen atom.
From Bohr’s model:
rₙ = (n² × h² × ε₀) / (π × m × Z × e²)
Simplified: rₙ = 0.529 × n²/Z Å for hydrogen-like atoms.
4. Define isotopes, isobars, and isotones with examples.
- Isotopes: Same atomic number, different mass number (e.g., ¹H, ²H, ³H).
- Isobars: Same mass number, different atomic number (e.g., ⁴⁰Ca and ⁴⁰Ar).
- Isotones: Same number of neutrons (e.g., ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N).
5. Write the electronic configuration of Cr (Z = 24) and Cu (Z = 29). Explain the
anomaly.
Cr: [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s¹; Cu: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
Due to extra stability of half-filled and fully-filled d-orbitals.
6. Derive de Broglie equation.
λ = h/p = h/(mv)
Where h = Planck’s constant, m = mass, v = velocity.
7. State Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
It is impossible to know both position and momentum of an electron simultaneously:
Δx·Δp ≥ h/4π
8. Define quantum numbers.
They describe the position and energy of an electron:
n (principal), l (azimuthal), m (magnetic), s (spin).
9. What are the shapes of s, p, and d orbitals?
s: spherical
p: dumbbell
d: cloverleaf or double dumbbell
10. Explain Hund’s Rule and Pauli’s Exclusion Principle.
- Hund’s: Electron pairing occurs only after each orbital is singly filled.
- Pauli’s: No two electrons can have the same 4 quantum numbers.
11. Calculate the energy of an electron in the 3rd orbit of hydrogen.
Eₙ = -13.6/n² = -13.6/9 = -1.51 eV
12. Define ionization energy.
Energy required to remove the outermost electron from a gaseous atom.
13. Calculate the wavelength of an electron moving with speed 3×10⁶ m/s.
λ = h/mv = 6.626×10⁻³⁴ / (9.1×10⁻³¹ × 3×10⁶) ≈ 2.43×10⁻¹⁰ m
14. Explain the dual nature of matter.
Particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties (de Broglie
hypothesis).
15. What is photoelectric effect? State Einstein’s equation.
Emission of electrons when light hits a metal surface.
E = hv = Φ + KE
16. Write electronic configuration of Fe³⁺, O²⁻, Cu²⁺, Cl⁻.
Fe³⁺: [Ar] 3d⁵, O²⁻: 1s²2s²2p⁶, Cu²⁺: [Ar] 3d⁹, Cl⁻: [Ne]3s²3p⁶
17. What is emission spectrum?
Lines seen when an excited electron falls back to lower energy. Each element has a unique
spectrum.
18. Define ground and excited states.
- Ground: Lowest energy state.
- Excited: Higher energy level than normal.
19. What is a node?
A region where probability of finding electron is zero.
Nodes = n – l – 1
20. Calculate frequency of light with energy 3.3×10⁻¹⁹ J.
v = E/h = 3.3×10⁻¹⁹ / 6.626×10⁻³⁴ = 4.98×10¹⁴ Hz
21. Describe Aufbau principle.
Electrons fill lower energy orbitals first: (n + l) rule.
22. How many orbitals in n = 3 shell?
Orbitals = n² = 9
23. Electronic configuration of Z = 15 and Z = 26.
Z=15: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³
Z=26: [Ar] 3d⁶ 4s²
24. What are degenerate orbitals?
Orbitals of same energy, e.g., 2px, 2py, 2pz
25. Find electrons, protons, neutrons in ₁₇³⁵Cl.
e⁻ = 17, p⁺ = 17, n⁰ = 35 – 17 = 18
26. Explain shells and subshells with n and l.
Shell: n = 1, 2, 3,...
Subshell: l = 0(s), 1(p), 2(d), 3(f) for each n.
27. Which has more energy: 3p or 4s?
(n+l) for 3p = 4; for 4s = 4; lower n preferred → 3p < 4s
28. How is hydrogen spectrum explained by Bohr’s model?
Electrons jumping between levels emit photons; energy differences give line spectra.
29. Classical vs Quantum mechanical model.
Classical: Fixed paths (Bohr), Quantum: Probable locations (orbitals, Schrödinger equation)
30. Explain Rutherford’s experiment.
Alpha particles passed through gold foil; some deflected, leading to discovery of dense
nucleus.
