Why some elements

combine easily to form

compounds whereas some
other elements do not
combine at all?
Why do elements combine in
a certain fixed ratio and not in
any ratio?
What are the smallest units
of elements?
Atomic Structure
Element
Matter composed of elements
Simplest form of matter
Not possible to change elements into
simpler substances by physical/chemical
means
3 types of elements metals, non-metals,
metalloids
Atom
Simplest particle found in elements

Consist of 3 sub-atomic particles
protons, neutrons, electrons

Elements can be differentiated by their no.
of protons
Sub-atomic particles
Protons Neutrons Electrons
Charge +1 0 -1
Relative
mass
1 1 ~0.0005
Location in
an atom
Nucleus Nucleus Electron
shells
around the
nucleus
Structure of an atom
Nucleus containing protons and neutrons
Electrons orbit around the nucleus
Electrically neutral = same no. of protons
and electrons makes an atom neutral

Nucleon number / Atomic number
Nucleon number defined to be the total
no. of p and n in an atom
A.k.a mass number / atomic mass no.

Atomic number defined to be the no. of p
in an atom
A fixed no. in a particular element
A.k.a proton number
Calculation of sub-atomic
particles
No. of p = atomic no.
No. of e in an atom = proton no.
No. of e in a +ve ion = proton no. charge
No. of e in a ve ion = proton no. + charge
No. of n = nucleon no. proton no.
Information of proton and nucleon no. can
be obtained from the ever useful periodic
table.

Isotopes
Isotopes refer to atoms of the same
element having the same no. of protons
and electrons with different no. of
neutrons.

Atoms same p no. same chemical
symbol same element.

Isotopes of Hydrogen
Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium
Proton 1 1 1
Neutron 0 1 2
Electron 1 1 1
Nucleon
number
1 2 3
Isotopes of Chlorine
Chlorine 35 Chlorine 37
Proton 17 17
Neutron 18 20
Electron 17 17
Nucleon
number
35 37
Properties of Isotopes
Isotopes of the same element have similar
chemical properties same no. of protons
and electrons

Have slightly different physical properties
slight difference in mass due to different
no. of neutrons.
Electronic Structures /
Configuration
Shows how electrons are arranged in an
atom/ion/molecule etc
Either draw or write, eg 2.8.8.2 etc
Helps to predict some chemical / physical
properties of the elements / compounds
Only valence electrons take part in
chemical reactions

Rules for filling up of electron shells
1
st
shell holds a max of 2 electrons
2
nd
shell holds a max of 8 electrons
3
rd
shell holds a max of 18 electrons
Nth shell holds a max of 2n
2
electrons
Special 3
rd
shell fills eight, then 4
th
shell fills
two, then 3
rd
shell continues to fill up to 18
electrons

Unk