Atomic Structure

Early Models of Atoms

- The atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical
identity of the element

- Law of Constant Composition states that any given compound always

contains the same elements in the same proportions by mass.

- Dalton’s Atomic Theory:

Each element is composed of extremely small particles called atoms

All atoms of a given element are identical, but they differ from those of any
other element

A given compound always has the same relative numbers and kinds of atoms

Discovering Atomic Structure

-Electrons are particles in an atom with negative charges

-Protons are particles with positive charges

-Neutrons are particles with no charge

- Masses of atoms are expressed in atomic mass units (amu)

- Atomic Number is the number of protons in an atom

Ions

- The charge of an ion is the number of protons minus the number of

electrons

- An ion is a net electrical charge that an atoms have when it loses or gains
electrons

Isotopes

- Isotopes are atoms that have the same number of protons but different
number of neutrons

- Isotopes can differ between their mass: Isotopes with more neutrons have a
higher mass, Isotopes with less neutrons have a lower mass

Changes in the Nucleus

 - All changes are produced by nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions can produce
alpha, beta, or gamma radiation

- A stable nucleus depends on the combinations of protons and neutrons in

that nucleus.

- All atoms in an atom need to be held together by a strong nuclear force

- All stable nuclei follow patterns. From elements 1 – 20 (Hydrogen to Calcium),

the elements all have about equal numbers of protons and neutrons.

- All elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 are considered radioactive

- Nuclei can be unstable if they have too little or too many neutrons

Types of Radiation

- Alpha Radiation:

Can only travel a few cm through the air

Easily stopped by paper or clothing

Not a hazard to humans unless it enters the body

- Beta Radiation:

Propels out of the nucleus at a high speed

Can penetrate through 2 mm of solid material

Can pass through clothing and damage skin

- Gamma Radiation:

Can penetrate deeply through solid material, including body tissue

Can only be stopped by heavy shielding of lead or concrete

- Radioactive Decay is when an atom emits one kind of the three types of
radiation

- Nuclear Equations is an equation that keeps track of radioactive decay

Solving Nuclear Equations

1. The mass numbers and atomic numbers in a nuclear equation must balance

2. If the Nuclear equation was in the following form

Where M represents the mass number of the new atom, Z represents the atomic
number, and X represents the element symbol.

3. The sum of the mass numbers must be equal so write the algebraic equation:

185 = M + 4

Solve to find that M = 185 – 4, or M = 181. For the atomic numbers, write the
equation:

79 = X + 2

Solving gives Z = 77. From the periodic table, the element with atomic
number 77 is Ir (Iridium). Therefore, the symbol of the produce is , and the
nuclear equation is

4. Double check your math