Structure of Atom – Short Notes (Class 11
Chemistry)
1. Subatomic Particles
• Electron (e■): Discovered by J.J. Thomson (cathode ray experiment). Charge = –1.602 × 10■¹■
C, mass = 9.1 × 10■³¹ kg.
• Proton (p■): Discovered by Goldstein (canal rays). Charge = +1.602 × 10■¹■ C, mass = 1.67 ×
10■²■ kg.
• Neutron (n■): Discovered by Chadwick. Charge = 0, mass ≈ proton.
2. Atomic Models
• Thomson’s Model: ‘Plum pudding model’, failed to explain scattering.
• Rutherford’s Model: Gold foil experiment → nucleus discovered, failed to explain stability.
• Bohr’s Model: Electrons revolve in fixed orbits, energy quantized (E ∝ 1/n²), angular momentum
quantized (mvr = nh/2π), explains H-spectrum, fails for multi-electron atoms.
3. Atomic Number & Mass Number
• Atomic number (Z): No. of protons = electrons (neutral atom).
• Mass number (A): A = Z + N (protons + neutrons).
• Isotopes: Same Z, different A. Isobars: Same A, different Z. Isotones: Same neutrons.
4. Electromagnetic Radiation
• Wave nature: c = νλ
• Particle nature (Planck): E = hν
• Photoelectric effect (Einstein): hν = hν■ + ½mv²
5. Hydrogen Spectrum
• Line spectrum: Lyman, Balmer, Paschen, Brackett, Pfund series.
• Rydberg equation: 1/λ = R (1/n■² – 1/n■²), n■ > n■
6. Quantum Mechanical Model
• de Broglie wavelength: λ = h/mv
• Heisenberg Uncertainty: ∆x·∆p ≥ h/4π
• Orbitals: Region of high probability of finding e■ (not fixed path).
7. Quantum Numbers
• Principal (n): Energy level, size.
• Azimuthal (l): Shape (s=0, p=1, d=2, f=3).
• Magnetic (m■): Orientation (–l to +l).
• Spin (ms): +½ or –½.
8. Shapes of Orbitals
• s: Spherical
• p: Dumbbell (px, py, pz)
• d: Cloverleaf (except dz²)
9. Electronic Configuration
• Aufbau: Fill in increasing energy order.
• Pauli’s Principle: No 2 e■ have same 4 quantum numbers.
• Hund’s Rule: Pairing only after each orbital has 1 e■.
■ Exam Tips: Revise Bohr & Rydberg equations, practice numerical, learn orbital filling order (1s,
2s, 2p...).
