Atomic Structure 2

Using the numbers

What numbers?
Each element in the Periodic Table
comes with two numbers:
Mass Number
7

Atomic Number

Li
3

The table on the exam paper will tell you which

number is which.

But the table wont tell you how to

use them.
Atomic Number tells you the number
of Protons.
Sometimes called the PROTON number

7
3

Atoms are always neutral

So for every positive proton there must be
a negative electron
So Lithium has 3 protons and also 3 electrons

Li

Mass number
The mass number only counts heavy
particles.
So, the electrons dont count.

7
3

Li

Lithium has 7 heavy particles.

3 are protons so 4 must be neutrons
because 7 3 = 4

Numbers of neutrons are often the

same as numbers of protons.
But
not
always.
Element Atomic Mass Protons Electrons Neutrons
No.

No.

Mg

12

24

12

12

12

16

Na

11

23

11

11

12

92

238

92

92

146

Isotopes
There are 3 Isotopes
of Hydrogen.
Normal
Deuterium
Tritium

They are all lighter

than Air and go POP
when lit

Isotopes
Isotope
H
1
1

H
1
2

H
1
3

Protons

Electrons

Neutrons

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that

have different numbers of neutrons

What difference do neutrons make?

Cl

35

17

Often not much.

and37Cl
Are just as toxic as each
17

other but 37Cl

17

is about 5% heavier.

Though sometimes one isotope is

radioactive (like 235U) while another is
not (like 238U).

Electronic Structure
Electrons are found in shells
but not all shells are the same.
We only really deal with the first 3 shells.
Shell
Shell
Shell

1
2
3

is
is
is

filled
filled
filled

when
when
when

it
it
it

contains
contains
contains

2
8
8

electrons
electrons
electrons

Filling shells
We fill shells from the centre.
Each shell must be filled before starting to fill
the next.
First 2shell
is now
full.
full
nd
shell
full.
full
H
N
1
7
So we
can
now
fill up
We
can
now
2He
8O
theshell
next3
fill
9F
3Li
Ne

Be

10

11

4
5

Na

4 single electrons
in 2nd shell.
Following electrons
must pair-up

LEARN 2.8.8
Typical questions:
Q1 Write the electron arrangement of Ca?
Look up Atomic Number
20
Therefore 2.8.8.2
Q2 Which element has the electronic
structure 2.8.8?
Work out Atomic Number
=
18
Look at Periodic table 2+8+8
Ar
18