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STRUCTURE OF ATOM
1. Law of conservation of mass :This law was stated by
Lavoisier in 1744. It states that In all physical and
chemical changes, the total mass of reactants is equal to
total mass of products.
2. Law of constant proportions (or constant composition) :
This law was first stated by Proust in 1797. According to
the law a chemical compound is always found to be
made up of the same elements combined together in the
same proportions by weight e.g. the ratio of hydrogen
and oxygen in pure water is always 1 : 8 by weight. This
law is also called law of definite proportions.
3. Law of multiple proportions : This law was given by John
Dalton (1803) and states that "when two elements combine
to form two or more compounds, the different mass of one of
the elements and the fixed mass of the one with which it
combines always form a whole number ratio". This law
explains the concept of formation of more than one
compound by two elements.
4. Daltons Atomic theory : Postulates of Daltons Atomic
Theory
(i) Matter is made up of extremely small indivisible
particles called atoms.
(ii) Atoms of the same substance are identical in all
respects i.e., they possess same size, shape, mass,
chemical properties etc.
(iii) Atoms of different substances are different in all
respects i.e., they possess different size, shape, mass
etc.
(iv) Atom is the smallest particle that takes part in a
chemical reaction.
(v) Atoms of different elements may combine with each
other in a fixed simple, whole number ratio to form
compound atoms.
(vi) Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed i.e., atoms
are indestructible.
5. Atom : It is the smallest particle of an element which can
take part in a chemical change. It may or may not be
capable of independent existence.
6. Symbol : The abbreviation used for lengthy names of
elements are termed as their symbols.
The symbol of an element is the first letter or the first and
another letter of English name or Latin name of the element.
While writing a symbol, the first letter is always capital and
the second is always small.
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7. Molecule : It is the smallest particle of an element or
compound that is capable of independent existence and
shows all the properties of that substance.
[The molecules of an element is made up of only one and
same type of atoms, while the molecule of a compound is
made up of dissimilar atoms]
8. Atomicity : The number of atoms present in a molecule
of an element or a compound is known as its atomicity.
e.g. the atomicity of oxygen is 2 while atomicity ozone
is 3.
9. Ion : It is an electrically charged atom or group of atom.
It is formed by the loss or gain of electrons by an atom.
Ions are of two types :
(i) Cation : It is positively charged ion and is formed by
the loss of electron from an atom e.g. H+, Na+, Ca2+,
Al3+, NH4+ etc.
(ii) Anion : It is negatively charged ion and is formed by
the gain of electrons by an atom, e.g.
Cl, O2, C, F, CO32 PO3
4 etc.
10. Valency : The combining power (or capacity) of an
element is known as its valency.
11. Formula of simple and molecular compounds
Binary compounds are those compounds which are made
up of two different elements e.g. NaCl, KBr, CaO etc.
Following rules are to be followed for writing the formula.
(i) The valencies or charges on the ions must be balanced.
(ii) For a compound made up of a metal and a non-metal
the symbol of metal is written first.
(iii) In compounds formed with polyatomic ions, the ion is
enclosed in a bracket before writing the number to
indicate the ratio.
12. Sub-Atomic Particles
(i) Electrons: Electron was discovered in cathode ray
experiment.
(ii) The term electron was coined by G.J. Stoney
(iii) Protons were discovered in anode ray experiment.
Anode rays are also called positive rays or canal rays.
Protons was discovered by Wilhelm Wien in 1902. It
was identified by J.J. Thomson.
(iv) Neutron was discovered by James Chadwick in 1932.
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13. Valency : The electrons present in the outermost shell of
an atom are known as valence electrons. These electrons
determine the valency of an atom.
Valency is equal to the number of valence electrons.
In case the number of valence electrons is close to its full
capacity. Then,
Valency = 8 - valence electrons
If outermost shell is completely filled then valency is zero.
Valency is the combining capacity of an atom.
14. Atomic number (Z) : Atomic number of an element is
equal to the number of protons present in the nucleus of
an atom.
Atomic number (Z) = number of protons
= number of electrons.
15. Mass number (A) : It refers to the total number of neutrons
and protons (i.e., sum of protons and neutrons) called
collectively as nucleus, present in an atom.
Mass number (A) = number of protons + number of neutron
16. Isotopes : Atoms of the same element having same atomic
number but different mass numbers are known as Isotopes
e.g. 35 and 36 1 2 12 and 14
17 Cl 17 Cl , 1 H and 1H , 6 C
17. Applications of Isotopes : Isotopes are used in various
fields. For example.
(i) Isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactor
(ii) Isotope of cobalt is used in treatment of cancer
(iii) Isotope of iodine is used in treatment of goitre.
18. Isobars : Atoms of different elements having same mass
numbers are known as Isobars, e.g K-40 and Ar-40
19. The discovery of cathode rays was done by J.J. Thomson
an English physicist.
Properties of cathode rays :
The cathode rays are constituted by fast moving
electrons.
These rays travel in a straight line.
These rays posses mechanical energy.
These rays produce heat when focussed on metals.
These rays produce flourescenes when focussed on
metals.
They affects the photographic plate.
They are deflected by electric and magnetic field.
They ionize the gases through which they pass.
They travel in a straight line.
They can produce mechanical effects.
Anode rays are positively charged.
The nature of anode rays depends upon the gas taken
in the discharge tube.
The mass of anode rays particles is almost equal to the
mass of an atom from which it is formed.
Sub-atomic Particles :
Electron, proton and neutron are subatomic particles.
6 C etc. The credit for discovery of these particles goes to
Electron J.J. Thomson and Proton E. Goldstein
Another subatomic particle which is neutral and has a
mass approx. equal to that of a proton was called
neutron and was discovered by Chadwick. The
neutron is a neutral particle found in the nucleus of an
atoms. Atom of all elements contain neutron (except
hydrogen atom which does not contain neutron). The
relative mass of neutron is 1 amu and it carries no
charge (i.e., it is neutral)

Properties of atomic particles (Comparative)

Particle Electron Proton Neutron
(i) Symbol e or e p n
(ii) Nature Negatively charged Positively charged neutral (no charge)
(iii) (a) Charge (a) 1.6 1019C (a) + 1.6 1019C 0
(b) Unit charge (b) 1 (b) + 1 0
(iv) Mass (a) amu (a) 0.0005486 amu (a) 1.00753 amu (a) 1.00893 amu
(b) kg (b) 9.1 1031kg (b) 1.67265 1027 kg (b) 1.67495 1027 kg
(v) Location Extra nuclear space nucleus nucleus
1 1
(vi) Notation 1 e0 1
p 0n
(vii) Relative mass 1/1840 1 1

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EXERCISE
1. The formation of SO2 and SO3 explain 13. The cathode ray experiment was done for the first time by
(a) the law of conservation of mass (a) J.J. Thomson (b) John Dalton
(b) the law of multiple proportions (c) Goldstein (d) Rutherford
(c) the law of definite properties 14. The nucleus of an atom contains
(d) Boyles law (a) protons (b) electrons
2. One gram of which of the following contains largest number (c) protons and neutrons (d) neutrons
of oxygen atoms? 15. By whom was neutron discovered?
(a) O (b) O2 (a) Bohr (b) Chadwick
(c) O3 (d) All contains same (c) Rutherford (d) Dalton
3. The law of definite proportions was given by 16. In an atom valence electron are present in
(a) John Dalton (b) Humphry Davy (a) outermost orbit (b) next to outermost orbit
(c) Proust (d) Michael Faraday (c) first orbit (d) any one of its orbit
4. Molecular mass is defined as the 17. Which of the following statements is incorrect for cathode
(a) mass of one atom compared with the mass of one rays?
molecule (a) They move in straight line
(b) mass of one atom compared with the mass of one atom (b) Their nature depends upon the nature of gas present
of hydrogen in the discharge tube.
(c) mass of one molecule of any substance compared with (c) They cost shadow of solid objects placed in their path
the mass of one atom of C-12 (d) They get deflected towards positive charge.
(d) None of these 18. The isotopes of an element have
5. The chemical symbol for barium is (a) same number of neutrons
(a) B (b) Ba (b) same atomic number
(c) Be (d) Bi (c) same mass number
6. A group of atoms chemically bonded together is a (an) (d) None of these
(a) molecule (b) ion 19. Which of the following pairs are isotopes?
(c) salt (d) element (a) Oxygen and ozone
7. Adding electrons to an atom will result in a (an) (b) Ice and steam
(a) molecule (b) anion (c) Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
(c) cation (d) salt (d) Hydrogen and deuterium
8. When an atom loses electrons, it is called a (an) _____ and 20. Which of the following have equal number of neutrons and
has a ______ charge. protons?
(a) anion, positive (b) cation, positive (a) Hydrogen (b) Deuterium
(c) anion, negative (d) cation, positive (c) Fluorine (d) Chlorine
9. The molecular formula P2O5 means that 21. The number of electrons in an element with atomic number
(a) a molecule contains 2 atoms of P and 5 atoms of O X and atomic mass Y will be
(b) the ratio of the mass of P to the mass of O in the (a) (X Y) (b) (Y X)
molecule is 2:5 (c) (X + Y) (d) X
(c) there are twice as many P atoms in the molecule as 22. Which of the following has a charge of +1 and a mass of
there are O atoms 1 amu ?
(d) the ratio of the mass of P to the mass of O in the (a) A neutron (b) A proton
molecule is 5 : 2 (c) An electron (d) A helium nucleus
10. The percentage of copper and oxygen in samples of CuO 23. Which of the following describes an isotope with a mass
obtained by different methods were found to be the same. number of 99 that contains 56 neutrons in its nucleus ?
The illustrate the law of 99 43
(a) 56 Ba (b) 56 Ba
(a) constant proportions (b) conservation of mass
(c) multiple proportions (d) reciprocal proportions (c) 99
43 Tc (d) 56 43 Tc
11. The total number of atoms represented by the compound 24. Which of the following isotopes is used as the standard for
CuSO4.5H2O is atomic mass ?
(a) 27 (b) 21 (a) 12C (b) 16O
(c) 5 (d) 8 (c) 13C (d) 1H
12. The correct symbol for silver is 25. Which of the following is not a basic particle of an element?
(a) Ag (b) Si (a) An atom (b) A molecule
(c) Ar (d) Al (c) An ion (d) None of these
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26. Members of which of the following have similar chemical (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (b) (i), (iii) and (iv)
properties ? (c) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (d) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(a) Isotope 30. Which one of the following laws explains the formation of
(b) Isobars carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from carbon and
(c) Allotropes oxygen?
(d) Both isotopes and allotropes (a) Law of conservation of mass
27. While performing cathode ray experiments, it was observed (b) Law of multiple proportions
that there was no passage of electric current under normal (c) Law of reciprocal proportions
conditions. Which of the following can account for this (d) Law of difinite proportions
observation ? 31. The atomic weights are expressed in terms of atomic mass
(a) Dust particles are present in air unit. Which one of the following is used as a standard?
(b) Carbon dioxide is present in air (a) 1H1 (b) 12C6
(c) 16 O8 (d) 35Cl17
(c) Air is a poor conductor of electricity under normal
conditions 32. Which would be the electrical charge on a sulphur atom
(d) None of these containing 18 electrons ?
28. Which one of the following statement is not true ? (a) 2 (b) 1
(a) Most of the space in an atom is empty (c) 0 (d) 2+
(b) The total number of neutrons and protons is always 33. The atomic number of an element is 11 and its mass number
equal in a neutral atom is 23. The correct order representing the number of electrons,
(c) The total number of electrons and protons in an atom protons and neutrons respectively in this atom is
is always equal (a) 11, 11, 12 (b) 11, 12, 11
(d) The total number of electrons in any energy level can (c) 12, 11, 11 (d) 23, 11, 23.
be calculated by the formula 2n2 34. In an atom valence electron are present in
29. Dalton's atomic theory successfully explained (a) outermost orbit (b) next to outermost orbit
(c) first orbit (d) any one of its orbit
(i) Law of conservation of mass
35. In a chemical change the total weight of the reacting
(ii) Law of constant composition
substances compared to total weight of products is
(iii) Law of radioactivity
(a) never the same (b) always less
(iv) Law of multiple proportion
(c) always more (d) always the same
ANSW ER KEY
1 (b) 7 (b) 13 (a) 19 (d) 25 (b) 31 (b)
2 (c) 8 (b) 14 (c) 20 (b) 26 (c) 32 (a)
3 (c) 9 (a) 15 (b) 21 (d) 27 (c) 33 (a)
4 (c) 10 (a) 16 (a) 22 (b) 28 (b) 34 (a)
5 (b) 11 (b) 17 (b) 23 (c) 29 (d) 35 (d)
6 (a) 12 (a) 18 (b) 24 (a) 30 (b)

HINTS & SOLUTIONS

1. (b) In the same weight of SO2 and SO3 weight of oxygen is 20. (b) In 1H2 no. of p = 1 and no. of n = 2 1 = 1
in the simple ratio of 2 : 3 21. (d) No. of electrons = no. of protons = Atomic number = X
2. (c) The no. of atoms in O3 is maximum i.e., 3 23. (c) Given mass number (Z) = 99
3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (b) no. of neutrons = 56
6. (a) In a molecule two or more than two atoms are \ no. of protons = atomic number = 99 56 = 43
convalently bonded with each other. i.e., 43Tc99
(b) e.g., Cl + e- 28. (b) e.g., In 17Cl35 no. of p = 17
7. Cl (anion) but no. of n = 35 17 = 18
30. (b) Law of multiple proportions explains the formation of
8. Na + + e
(b) e.g., Na CO and CO2, in these same weight of carbon that
(cation)
10. (a) Constant proportions according to which a pure combines with weights of oxygen are in simple rate of
chemical compound always contains same elements 1 : 2.
combined together in the same definite proportion of 31. (b) 12C6 used as a standard in the expression of atomic
weight. weights in term of amu.
11. (b) 1 atom of Cu + 1 atom of sulphur + 9 atoms of oxygen 32. (a) S(16) = 2, 8, 6
+ 10 atoms of hydrogen. Total number of atoms in hence S(18) need two or more electron to complete its
compound is 21. octet i.e S + 2e S
14. (c) The nucleus contains protons and neutrons whereas 33. (a) no. of proton = At no.= number of e = 11
electrons revolves around the nucleus in circular no. of p + no. of n = Atomic mass
orbits. \ no. of n = 13 11 = 12
18. (b) Isotopes have same atomic number but different mass 35. (d) Law of conservation of mass.
number e.g., 17Cl35 and 17Cl36.
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