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Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

Student Quick Revision Focus High-yield exam revision guide for ICSE Class 9 Chemistry. Master subatomic particles ($e^-, p^+, n^0$), cathode & canal rays, Thomson, Rutherford & Bohr atomic models, Atomic Number ($Z$), Mass Number ($A$), Bohr-Bury electronic configurations ($2n^2$ rule), Isotopes, Isobars, and Electrovalent vs Covalent chemical bonding!

1. Fundamental Concepts & Dalton's Atomic Theory

1.1 Historical Perspective

Dalton's Postulates vs Modern Atomic Theory

2. Discovery of Subatomic Particles

2.1 Discovery of Electrons (Cathode Rays)

Discovered by J.J. Thomson (1897) using a discharge tube at high voltage ($10,000\text{ V}$) and low pressure ($0.01\text{ mm Hg}$).

Discharge Tube Experiment
Fig 4.1: Discharge tube experiment for production of Cathode Rays
Deflection of Cathode Rays in Electric Field
Fig 4.2: Deflection of Cathode Rays toward positive plate in Electric Field

2.2 Discovery of Protons (Anode / Canal Rays)

Discovered by Eugen Goldstein using a discharge tube with a perforated cathode.

Production of Anode/Canal Rays
Fig 4.3: Production of Anode (Canal) Rays passing through perforated cathode

2.3 Discovery of Neutrons

Discovered by James Chadwick (1932) by bombarding Beryllium sheet with $\alpha$-particles:

$${}_4^9\text{Be} + {}_2^4\text{He} \longrightarrow {}_6^{12}\text{C} + {}_0^1\text{n}$$
Comparison of Fundamental Subatomic Particles
Particle Symbol Relative Charge Absolute Charge (C) Mass (amu) Mass (kg) Discoverer
Electron ${}_{-1}^0e$ or $e^-$ $-1$ $-1.602 \times 10^{-19}$ $\frac{1}{1837} \approx 0.00055$ $9.108 \times 10^{-31}$ J.J. Thomson
Proton ${}_1^1p$ or $p^+$ $+1$ $+1.602 \times 10^{-19}$ $1.00727 \approx 1$ $1.672 \times 10^{-27}$ E. Goldstein
Neutron ${}_0^1n$ or $n^0$ $0$ $0$ $1.00866 \approx 1$ $1.676 \times 10^{-27}$ James Chadwick

3. Atomic Models & Structure of the Atom

3.1 Thomson's Plum-Pudding Model

Thomson Plum Pudding Model
Fig 4.4: J.J. Thomson's Plum-Pudding Model of the Atom

Atom is a positively charged sphere with electrons embedded like raisins in a pudding. Limitation: Failed to explain $\alpha$-scattering results.

3.2 Rutherford's $\alpha$-Particle Scattering Experiment

Rutherford Alpha Particle Scattering
Fig 4.5: Deflection of $\alpha$-particles by gold foil in Rutherford's experiment
Rutherford Planetary Model of Atom
Fig 4.6: Rutherford's Nuclear Planetary Model of the Atom
Drawback of Rutherford Model - Energy Radiation Collapse
Fig 4.7: Drawback - Accelerating electron radiates energy and spirals into nucleus
Drawback of Rutherford's Model According to Maxwell's classical electrodynamics, a revolving accelerated electron must continuously emit energy, spiral inwards, and collapse into the nucleus. Rutherford could not explain atomic stability!

3.3 Bohr's Atomic Model

Bohr Model Energy Levels
Fig 4.8: Energy levels (K, L, M, N shells) around nucleus in Bohr's Model
Bohr's Postulates 1. Electrons revolve only in non-radiating, fixed circular paths called stationary orbits / energy levels (K, L, M, N or $n=1, 2, 3, 4$).
2. While revolving in a stationary orbit, the electron neither emits nor absorbs energy.
3. Energy is absorbed or emitted only when an electron jumps from one energy level to another.
Structure of an Atom - Nucleus vs Orbits
Fig 4.9: Structural components of an atom (Nucleus containing Nucleons & Outer Orbits)

4. Atomic Number, Mass Number & Electronic Configuration

Core Formulas $$\mathbf{Z = \text{Atomic Number} = \text{Protons } (p^+) = \text{Electrons } (e^-) \quad (\text{neutral atom})}$$ $$\mathbf{A = \text{Mass Number} = \text{Protons } (p^+) + \text{Neutrons } (n^0)}$$ $$\mathbf{\text{Number of Neutrons } (n^0) = A - Z}$$ Symbolic Representation: $\mathbf{{}_Z^A\text{X}}$ (e.g. ${}_{17}^{35}\text{Cl} \rightarrow Z=17, A=35, n=18$).

4.1 Bohr-Bury Rules for Electronic Configuration

  1. Maximum Shell Capacity ($2n^2$):
    • K Shell ($n=1$): Max $2 \times 1^2 = \mathbf{2 e^-}$
    • L Shell ($n=2$): Max $2 \times 2^2 = \mathbf{8 e^-}$
    • M Shell ($n=3$): Max $2 \times 3^2 = \mathbf{18 e^-}$
    • N Shell ($n=4$): Max $2 \times 4^2 = \mathbf{32 e^-}$
  2. Octet Rule: Outermost shell cannot hold more than 8 electrons (duplet rule: max 2 for K shell).
  3. Stepwise Filling: Inner shells must be completely filled before outer shells begin filling.
Magnesium Atom Electronic Configuration
Fig 4.10: Atomic orbit diagram of Magnesium atom ($Z=12$, Config: 2, 8, 2)
Electronic Configurations of First 20 Elements (H to Ca)
ElementSymbolAtomic Number ($Z$)Protons ($p^+$)Neutrons ($n^0$)Configuration (K, L, M, N)Valency
HydrogenH11011
HeliumHe22220
LithiumLi3342, 11
BerylliumBe4452, 22
BoronB5562, 33
CarbonC6662, 44
NitrogenN7772, 53
OxygenO8882, 62
FluorineF99102, 71
NeonNe1010102, 80
SodiumNa1111122, 8, 11
MagnesiumMg1212122, 8, 22
AluminiumAl1313142, 8, 33
SiliconSi1414142, 8, 44
PhosphorusP1515162, 8, 53, 5
SulfurS1616162, 8, 62
ChlorineCl1717182, 8, 71
ArgonAr1818222, 8, 80
PotassiumK1919202, 8, 8, 11
CalciumCa2020202, 8, 8, 22

5. Isotopes, Isobars & Chemical Bonding Overview

Definitions & Examples

5.1 Fundamentals of Chemical Bonding

Atoms combine to achieve a stable octet (8 valence electrons) or duplet (2 valence electrons) inert gas configuration.

Types of Chemical Bonds
Student ICSE Exam Practice Set Q1 (ICSE Board): Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in ${}_{19}^{39}\text{K}^+$.
Solution:
• Protons $= Z = \mathbf{19}$.
• Neutrons $= A - Z = 39 - 19 = \mathbf{20}$.
• Electrons (since $+1$ charge) $= 19 - 1 = \mathbf{18}$.
Q2 (ICSE Board): State the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in the M-shell.
Solution: Formula $= 2n^2$. For M-shell ($n=3$), Max capacity $= 2 \times (3)^2 = \mathbf{18\text{ electrons}}$.