Class 11 - Atomic Structure (Full Chapter Notes)
1. Introduction
Atomic structure deals with the composition of atoms, discovery of subatomic particles (electrons,
protons, neutrons), models of the atom, atomic spectra, and quantum mechanics.
2. Discovery of Subatomic Particles
Particle Discoverer Charge (C) Mass (kg)
Electron J.J. Thomson (1897) -1.602 × 10■¹■ 9.109 × 10■³¹
Proton E. Goldstein (1886) +1.602 × 10■¹■ 1.673 × 10■²■
Neutron James Chadwick (1932) 0 1.675 × 10■²■
3. Atomic Models
• Thomson’s Model: Atom is a sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded like seeds in
watermelon. Failed to explain scattering results.
• Rutherford’s Model: α-particle scattering showed nucleus is dense, positive, and small. Electrons
revolve around nucleus. Could not explain stability.
• Bohr’s Model: Electrons revolve in fixed orbits. Energy quantized (mvr = nh/2π). ∆E = hν.
Hydrogen E■ = -13.6/n² eV.
4. Atomic Spectra
Emission spectrum: Lines produced when electrons fall to lower levels.
Absorption spectrum: Lines when electrons absorb energy.
Rydberg formula: 1/λ = R_H (1/n■² - 1/n■²).
5. Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
• Planck: E = hν (Energy quantized).
• Einstein: Photoelectric equation → hν = hν■ + ½mv².
• de Broglie: λ = h/mv.
6. Quantum Mechanical Model
• Heisenberg's Uncertainty: ∆x·∆p ≥ h/4π.
• Schrödinger: Defines orbitals (probability distributions).
7. Quantum Numbers
1. Principal (n): Size & energy (n=1,2,3...).
2. Azimuthal (l): Shape (0=s, 1=p, 2=d, 3=f).
3. Magnetic (m■): Orientation (-l to +l).
4. Spin (m■): +½ or -½.
8. Shapes of Orbitals
s-orbital: Spherical.
p-orbital: Dumbbell.
d-orbital: Cloverleaf.
9. Electronic Configuration
• Aufbau Principle: Fill lower energy first.
• Pauli's Exclusion: No two electrons same set of 4 quantum numbers.
• Hund's Rule: Max unpaired electrons in degenerate orbitals.
Example: Oxygen (Z=8) → 1s² 2s² 2p■.
10. Important Constants
Constant Value
Planck’s constant (h) 6.626 × 10■³■ Js
Speed of light (c) 3 × 10■ m/s
Rydberg constant (R_H) 1.097 × 10■ m■¹
