Atomic Theory and Structure of the Atom A

Atomic Theory and Structure of the Atom

A. Democritus • first to suggest the existence of atoms • believed atoms were small indivisible particles • Atom: smallest particle of an element that retains all properties of the element. (460 B. C. – 370 B. C)

B. Dalton • Atomic theory composed of 4 postulates Name of theory – Elements are composed of atoms – Atoms of the same element are Billard Ball identical, each element is unique – Compounds are composed of atoms Model of more than 1 element, atoms combine in fixed ratios to form compounds – Chemical rxn involves separation, combination, or rearrangement of atoms

C. Electron 1. Symbol: e− – Charge − 1 **after Dalton, there was a big hiatus in theory of the atom. Everyone accepted Daltons theory and went on to study radiation for a while, and this is when the electron was discovered

D. J. J. Thomson • An atom is thought of as a uniform positive sphere with electrons evenly distributed through out (like plum pudding or a chocolate chip cookie) Name of theory Plum Pudding Model

Cathode Ray Tube Evacuated tube Cathode Anode − + Batter y

E. Millikan Oil Drop • Found the mass of an electron to be 9. 10× 10− 28 g

F. Rutherford • Conducted gold foil experiment

What did Rutherford expect? Click here for video! Gold Foil Experiment Animation and Discussion

What did Rutherford actually see?

F. Rutherford • Concluded all positive charge and mass is concentrated in small region called nucleus and the electrons are outside the nucleus • Proposed atom is mostly empty space Name of theory Nuclear Model Proton – p+ – Charge: +1 – Mass: 1. 673× 10− 24 g

G. Bohr • Expanded on the nuclear atom • Electrons travel in circular orbits around the nucleus Name of theory Planetary Model

H. Schrödinger • model allowed the electron to occupy three-dimensional space like an electron “cloud” Name of theory Quantum Mechanical Model or Electron Cloud Model

I. Chadwick The Neutron Symbol: n 0 Charge: none Mass: 1. 675× 10− 24 g **The neutron was found by comparing the mass of hydrogen to helium, since He increased by 1 proton, the mass should be double, but it was four times, leading to a subatomic particle that had mass but no charge.

Fun Facts • The volume of a hydrogen nucleus is a trillion times smaller than the volume of a hydrogen atom, yet the nucleus contains most of the mass. • If the nucleus (proton) of a hydrogen atom were as large as the width of a human thumb, the electron would be on the average about one kilometer away in a great expanse of empty space.