4

CHAPTER
Structure of the Atom

School Level

NCERT Exercise

1. Compare the properties of electrons, protons and foil while some α-particles are diverted through
neutrons. small and big angles, while a few particles rebound
Ans. completely, i.e., return back on their path.
(ii) This model was established on imagination, hence
Properties Protons Electrons Neutrons any experimental evidence was not provided by
Location Protons Electrons Neutrons this model.
are present are present are present 3. What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model
inside the outside the inside the of the atom?
nucleus of nucleus of nucleus of
Ans. Limitations of Rutherford’s model of an atom:
an atom an atom in an atom
(i) This model could not explain the stability of atom.
orbits
(ii) Any particle moving in circular orbit would
Charge Positively Negatively Neutral undergo acceleration. During acceleration, any
charged charged charged particle would radiate energy, hence
particles particles causing the revolving electrons to lose energy and
Mass 1 Atomic Mass is 1 Atomic would finally fall into the nucleus.
Mass Unit negligible Mass Unit (iii) If this were so, the atom must be highly unstable
(a.m.u) (a.m.u) and hence, matter would not exist in their known
form which absolutely is an assumption since we
Affinity Attracted Attracted Do not get know that atoms are highly stable.
towards towards attracted
4. Describe Bohr’s model of the atom.
negatively positively towards
charged charged any kind Ans. (i) In an atom electrons revolve around the nucleus
particles particles of charged in certain specific orbits known as discrete
particle orbits of electrons
(ii) While revolving in discrete orbits, the electrons
2. What are the limitations of J.J. Thomson’s model do not radiate energy.
of the atom? (iii) These distinct orbits or shells are named as K, L,
Ans. The limitations of the J.J. Thomson’s model of an M, N.... orbits. Numbers used for denoting them
atom are: are n = 1, 2, 3, 4 ....
(i) J.J Thomson’s Model could not explain the results
of α-particle scattering experiment conducted by
Rutherford. This model was unable to depict why
most of these α-particles pass straight through gold
 (Increasing order of
n=3 energy in orbits)
n=2
Nucleus
n=1 Neutrons
Protons
Electronic orbits or shells
A photon with Electrons
energy E = hv is
emitted
Bohr’s Model of an Atom
Increasing order of
5. Compare all the proposed models of an atom energy in orbits

given in this chapter.

Ans.
n=1 n=2 n=3

Thomson’s Rutherford’s Bohr’s Model A photon with

Model Model energy E = hv is
emitted
An atom consists The nucleus An atom holds
of a positively is positively the nucleus at 6. Summarise the rules for writing of distribution
charged sphere charged and is the centre which of electrons in various shells for the first eighteen
present at the is positively elements.
centre of atom charged. Ans. (i) The maximum number of electrons present
holding the in a shell is given by the formula: 2n2, where
entire mass ‘n’ = 1, 2, 3…
Electrons are Electrons revolve Electrons revolve (ii) Hence, the maximum number of electrons in
different shells are as follows:
negatively around the in discrete
charged nucleus orbits but do not K shell (n = 1) ; 2n2 = 2(1)2 = 2
particles and are radiate energy. L shell (n = 2) ; 2n2 = 2(2)2 = 8
embedded inside M shell (n = 3) ; 2n2 = 2(3)2 = 18
the sphere. N shell (n = 4) ; 2n2 = 2(4)2 = 32
Negative charge The size of The distinct (iii) The maximum number of electrons that can be
accommodated in the outermost orbit is 8.
is equal to the atom is orbits are named
(iv) Electrons are not accommodated in a given shell
positive charge very large in as K, L, M, N....
unless the inner shells are filled, i.e., shells are
comparison to
filled in step-wise manner.
the size of the
nucleus. 7. Define valency by taking examples of silicon and
oxygen.
The net charge is
zero on the atom. Ans. Atomic number of silicon: 14
Distribution of electrons:
Thomson’s Model of an Atom K L M
+ 2 8 4
– – –
+ + + Positive sphere If the outermost shell of an element contains 1, 2,
– – +
– 3 and 4 electrons then valency will be equal to the
– + outermost shell electrons.
+ + – – Electron
– + In the case of silicon, valency will be 4. This means
+ – + – silicon shares 4 electrons with other elements to
complete its octet.
Rutherford’s Model of an Atom Atomic number of oxygen: 8
 Distribution of electrons: Number of protons: 11
K L Number of electrons: 10
2 6 Distribution of electrons:
If the outermost shell of an element contains 5, 6 or K L
7, electrons then valency will be (8 – 5), (8 – 6), or 2 8
(8 – 7). Thus, both K and L shall of Na+ are completed
In the case of oxygen, valency will be, 8 – 6 = 2. filled.
This means oxygen gains 2 more electrons or shares 10. If bromine atom is available in the form of, say,
its valence electrons to complete its octet. two isotopes 79 81
35Br (49.7%) and 35Br (50.3%),
With the above examples, we conclude that valency calculate the average atomic mass of bromine
is the number of electrons an atom gain or lose or atom.
share to complete its octet or to attain the nearest Ans. Atomic masses of two isotopic atoms of Br are 79
noble gas configuration. (49.7%) and 81 (50.3%) respectively.
8. Explain with examples: (i) Atomic number, Hence, the average atomic mass of Bromine is:
(ii) Mass number, (iii) Isotopes and (iv) Isobars.
79 × 49.7 81 × 50.3
Give any two uses of isotopes. = +
100 100
Ans. (i) The total number of protons present in the
= 39.263 + 40.743
nucleus of an atom is known as its atomic
number. It is denoted by ‘Z’. For example: = 80.006 u
Hydrogen contains 1 proton in its nucleus, 11. The average atomic mass of a sample of an
therefore, its atomic number is 1. element X is 16.2 u. What are the percentages of
(ii) Mass number is defined as the total number of isotopes 8X16 and 8X18 in the sample?
protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an Ans. Let us suppose, ‘a’ be the percentage of 8X16
atom. It is denoted by ‘A’. In, 20Ca40, mass number percentage composition of 8X18 will be 100 – a.
of Ca is 40 and atomic number of Ca is 20.
From the given information,
(iii) The atoms having same atomic number but
different mass number are referred as isotopes. 16a 18 (100 − a )
16.2u = +
For example: 6C12 and 6C14. 100 100
(iv) Isobars are atoms having same mass number but 16.2 × 100 = 16a + 18 (100 – a)
different atomic number. 20Ca40 and 18Ar40 are 1620 = 16a + 1800 – 18a
examples of isobars.
1620 = 1800 – 2a
Uses of isotopes:
a = 90%
™ An isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of
cancer. Therefore, the percentage of isotope 8X16 in the
sample is 90% and that of 8X18 is (100 – a)
™ An isotope of iodine is used in the treatment of
= (100 – 90) = 10%
goitre.
™ In nuclear reactors, an isotope of uranium is 12. If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the
element? Also, name the element.
used as a fuel.
Ans. It is given that, atomic number, Z = 3
9. Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.
Hence, the electronic configuration of the element is
Ans. Sodium (Na): The atomic number of sodium is 11. K-2; L-1. Thus, the valency of the element = 1
Number of protons: 11 Further, the atomic number 3 is of lithium. Thus
Number of electrons: 11 element Z is lithium and its valency is 1.
Distribution of electrons: 13. Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species
X and Y are given as under
K L M
X Y
2 8 1
Sodium cation (Na+): Sodium looses one electron Protons = 6 6
to form Na+ cation. Neutrons = 6 8

10 Class-IX CHEMISTRY P
W
 Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the Ans. (d) 2, 8, 1
relation between the two species? 19. Complete the following table.
Ans. From the given data,
Atomic Mass Number Number Number Name
Mass number of X = Protons + neutrons = 6 + 6 = 12 Number Number of of of of the
Neutrons Protons Electrons atomic
Mass number of Y = Protons + neutrons = 6 + 8 = 14
species
X and Y are the same element since, their atomic
9 – 10 – – –
numbers are the same.
16 32 – – – Sulphur
Thus, X and Y are isotopes because there atomic – 24 – 12 – –
number is same but they have different neutron – 2 – 1 – –
number. – 1 0 1 1 –
14. For the following statements, write T for true Ans. Atomic number (Z) = No. of protons
and F for false.
Mass number = No. of neutrons + Atomic number
(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an
atom contains only nucleons. Atomic Mass Number Number Number Name of
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton number number of of of the atomic
combining together. Therefore it is neutral. neutrons Protons electrons species
1 9 19 10 9 9 Fluorine
(c) The mass of an electron is about times
2000 16 32 16 16 16 Sulphur
that of proton.
12 24 12 12 12 Magnesium
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture
1 2 1 1 1 Deuterium
of iodine, which is used as a medicine.
1 1 0 1 1 Protium
Ans. (a) F (b) F
(c) T (d) F
Put a tick () against correct choice and cross (x)
against wrong choice in questions 15, 16 and 17.
15. Rutherford’s alpha – particle scattering experiment
was responsible for the discovery of:
(a) Atomic nucleus (b) Electron
(c) Proton (d) Neutron
Ans. (a) Atomic nucleus
16. Isotopes of an element have:
(a) The same physical properties
(b) Different chemical properties
(c) Different number of neutrons
(d) Different atomic numbers.
Ans. (c) Isotopes of an element contain different number
of neutrons.
17. Number of valence electrons in Cl– ion are:
(a) 16 (b) 8
(c) 17 (d) 18
Ans. (b) 8, Electronic distribution of chlorine is K-2, L-8,
M-7. Cl gains 1 electron to form Cl– ion. Hence,
number of valence electrons in Cl– ion are 7 + 1 = 8.
18. Which one of the following is a correct electronic
configuration of sodium?
(a) 2, 8 (b) 8, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 8 (d) 2, 8, 1

Structure of the Atom 11