Chemistry: Atomic Structure

Definition

• An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains the properties of that element.
• Atoms are the building blocks of matter and make up everything around us.

Structure

• An atom consists of three main parts:
  1. Protons: positively charged particles found in the nucleus (center) of the atom.
  2. Neutrons: particles with no charge found in the nucleus along with protons.
  3. Electrons: negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus.

Characteristics

• Atomic Number: the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, unique to each element.
• Atomic Mass: the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
• Isotopes: atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.
• Ions: atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Electron Configuration

• Energy Levels: electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus.
• Valence Electrons: electrons in the outermost energy level, involved in chemical bonding.
• Electron Spin: electrons can spin clockwise or counterclockwise, influencing chemical bonding.

Atomic Models

• Rutherford Model: a planetary model with a small, dense nucleus surrounded by electrons.
• Bohr Model: an extension of the Rutherford model, with electrons occupying specific energy levels.
• Quantum Mechanical Model: a modern model that describes electrons as probability distributions around the nucleus.

Definition of Atom

• Atoms are the smallest units of a chemical element that retain the element's properties.
• Atoms are the building blocks of matter, making up everything around us.

Structure of Atom

• The atom consists of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus (center) of the atom.
• Neutrons are particles with no charge found in the nucleus along with protons.
• Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus.

Characteristics of Atoms

• Atomic Number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, unique to each element.
• Atomic Mass is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
• Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.
• Ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Electron Configuration

• Energy Levels are the specific energy levels or shells that electrons occupy around the nucleus.
• Valence Electrons are electrons in the outermost energy level, involved in chemical bonding.
• Electron Spin is the ability of electrons to spin clockwise or counterclockwise, influencing chemical bonding.

Atomic Models

• Rutherford Model is a planetary model with a small, dense nucleus surrounded by electrons.
• Bohr Model is an extension of the Rutherford model, with electrons occupying specific energy levels.
• Quantum Mechanical Model is a modern model that describes electrons as probability distributions around the nucleus.

Learn about the basic structure of atoms, including protons, neutrons, and electrons. Understand the building blocks of matter and how they form everything around us.