Structure Of Atom NCERT SOLUTIONS

1) What are canal rays?

Ans:Canal rays are positively charged radiations that can pass through perforated cathode
plate. These rays consist of positively charged particles known as protons.

2) If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not ?

Ans: An electron is a negatively charged particle, whereas a proton is a positively charged

3) On the basis of Thomson's model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a whole.

Ans: As per Thomson’s model of the atom, an atom consists both negative and positive
charges which are equal in number and magnitude. So, they balance each other as a result of
which atom as a whole is electrically neutral.

4) On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the
nucleus of an atom?

Ans: On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, protons are present in the nucleus of an
atom.

5) Draw a sketch of Bohr's model of an atom with three shells.

Ans:
Bohr's Model of an atom with three shells.

6) What do you think would be the observation if the α-particle scattering experiment is carried
out using a foil of a metal other than gold ?

Ans: If α-particle scattering experiment is carried out using a foil of any metal there would be a
great difference in observations. Since other metals are not so malleable like gold, such a thin
foil(like gold) is difficult to obtain. If we use a thick foil, then more α-particles would bounce
back and we will not get idea about the location of positive mass in the atom.

7) Name the three sub-atomic particles of an atom.

Ans: The three sub-atomic particles of an atom are:

(i) Protons

(ii) Electrons

(iii) Neutrons

8) Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4 u and two protons in its nucleus. How many
neutrons does it have?

Ans:

Number of neutrons = Atomic mass - Number of protons

Therefore, the number of neutrons in the atom = 4 - 2 = 2

Ans: Distribution of electrons in carbon atom: atomic number of carbon = 6 = 2,4

Distribution of electrons in sodium atom: atomic number of

sodium = 11 = 2,8,1

10) If K and L shells of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of electrons in
the atom ?

Ans: The maximum capacity of K shell is 2 electrons and L shell can accommodate maximum
8 electrons in it. Therefore, there will be ten electrons in the atom.

11) How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?

Ans: The electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are known as the valence
electrons. Those electrons determine the valency of that atom.

The atomic number of chlorine is 17 = 2,8,7. So the number of valence electrons for chlorine is
7 and it needs 1 more electron to complete its octet (8). Therefore, its valency is one.

Similarly, Sulphur = 16 = 2,8,6. So the number of valence electrons for sulphur is 6 and it needs
2 more electrons to complete its octet (8). Therefore, its valency is two.

Similarly, for magnesium = 12 = 2,8,2

It becomes easier for magnesium to give away its two valence than to acquire 6 more
therefore its valency is two.

12) If number of electrons in an atom is 8 and number of protons is also 8, then

(i) what is the atomic number of the atom and,

(ii) what is the charge on the atom ?

Ans: (i) The atomic number is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the atomic number
of the atom is 8.

(ii) Since the number of both electrons and protons is equal, therefore, the charge on the atom
is 0.
13) With the help of Table 4.1, find out the mass number of oxygen and sulphur atom.

Ans: Mass number of oxygen = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

=8+8

= 16

Mass number of sulphur = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

= 16 +16

= 32

14) For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three sub-atomic particles found in each of them.

Ans:

15) Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.

Ans: ¹²C6 and ¹⁴C6 are isotopes

They have the same electronic configuration as 2,4.

⁴⁰Ca20 and ⁴⁰Ar18 are isobars. They have different electronic configuration as given below:

⁴⁰Ca20 – 2, 8, 8, 2

⁴⁰Ar18 – 2, 8, 8

16) Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.

Ans:
17) What are the limitations of J.J. Thomson's model of the atom?

Ans: The limitations of J.J. Thomson's model of the atom are:

→ It could not explain the result of scattering experiment performed by rutherford.

→ It did not have any experiment support.

18) What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?

Ans: According to Rutherford’s model of an atom, electrons revolve around the nucleus in
fixed orbits. But, an electron revolving in circular orbits will not be stable because during
revolution, the electrons will lose energy in the form of radiation and fall into the nucleus. In
such a case, the atom would be highly unstable and collapse.

19) Describe Bohr's model of the atom

Ans: The features of Bohr's model are:

→ The atom consists of a small positively charged nucleus at its center.

→ The whole mass of the atom is concentrated at the nucleus and the volume of the nucleus
is much smaller than the volume of the atom.

→ All the protons and neutrons of the atom are contained in the nucleus.

→ Only certain orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons are allowed inside the atom.

→ While revolving in these discrete orbits electrons do not radiate energy. These orbits or
cells are represented by the letters K, L, M, N etc. or the numbers, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, . .

20) Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.

Ans:
21) Summarize the rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for the first
eighteen elements.

Ans: The rules for writing of the distribution of electrons in various shells for the first eighteen
elements are given below.

→ If n gives the number of orbit, then 2n² gives the maximum number of electrons possible in
a given orbit or energy level. Thus,

First orbit or K-shell will have 2 electrons,

Third orbit or M-shell will have 18 electrons.

→ If it is the outermost orbit, then it should have not more than 8 electrons.

→ There should be step-wise filling of electrons in different orbits, i.e., electrons are not
accompanied in a given orbit if the earlier orbits or shells are incompletely filled.

22) Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.

Ans: The valency of an element is the combining capacity of that element. The valency of an
element is determined by the number of valence electrons present in the atom of that element.

→ Valency of Silicon: It has electronic configuration: 2,8,4

Thus, the valency of silicon is 4 as these electrons can be shared with others to complete
octet.

→ Valency of Oxygen: It has electronic configuration: 2,6

Thus, the valency of oxygen is 2 as it will gain 2 electrons to complete its octet.

23) Explain with examples

(i) Atomic number,

(ii) Mass number,

(iii) Isotopes and

(iv) Isobars.

Give any two uses of isotopes.

Ans: (i) Atomic number: The atomic number of an element is the total number of protons
present in the atom of that element. For example, nitrogen has 7 protons in its atom. Thus, the
atomic number of nitrogen is 7.

(ii) Mass number: The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and
neutrons present in the atom of that element. For example, the atom of boron has 5 protons
and 6 neutrons. So, the mass number of boron is 5 + 6 = 11.

(iii) Isotopes: These are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number, but
different mass numbers.
Eg. : ³⁵Cl17, ³⁷Cl17

(iv) Isobars: These are atoms having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers
i.e., isobars are atoms of different elements having the same mass number. Eg: ⁴⁰Ar18 and
⁴⁰Ca20.

Two uses of isotopes:

→ One isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.

→ One isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.

24) Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.

Ans: The atomic number of sodium is 11. So, neutral sodium atom has 11 electrons and its
electronic configuration is 2, 8, 1. But Na+ has 10 electrons. Out of 10, K-shell contains 2 and L
-shell 8 electrons respectively. Thus, Na+ has completely filled K and L shells.

25) If bromine atom is available in the form of, say, two isotopes ⁷⁹Br35 (49.7%) and ⁸¹Br35
(50.3%), calculate the average atomic mass of bromine atom.

Ans: It is given that two isotopes of bromine are 7935Br (49.7%) and 8135Br. Then, the
average atomic mass of bromine atom is given by:

26) The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2 u. What are the percentages
of isotopes 168X and 188X in the sample?

Ans: It is given that the average atomic mass of the sample of element X is 16.2 u.
Let the percentage of isotope 188X be y%. Thus, the percentage of isotope 168X will be (100 -
y) %.

Therefore,

18y + 1600 - 16y = 1620

2y + 1600 = 1620

2y = 1620 - 1600

y= 10

Therefore, the percentage of isotope 188X is 10%.

And, the percentage of isotope 168X is (100 - 10) % = 90%.

27) If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element ? Also, name the element.

Ans: By Z = 3, we mean that the atomic number of the element is 3. Its electronic
configuration is 2, 1. Hence, the valency of the element is 1.

28) Do it by your own

29) For the following statements, write T for 'True' and F for 'False'.

(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons.

(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is

(c) The mass of an electron is about 1 / 2000 times that of proton.

(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine.
Ans:

(a) False

(b) False

(c) True

(d) False

30) Rutherford's alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of

(a) Atomic nucleus

(b) Electron

(c) Proton

(d) Neutron

Ans: (a) Atomic nucleus

31) Isotopes of an element have

(a) the same physical properties

(b) different chemical properties

(c) different number of neutrons

(d) different atomic numbers

Ans: (c) different number of neutrons

32) Number of valence electrons in Cl -ion are:

(a) 16

(b) 8

(c) 17

(d) 18
Ans: (b) 8

33) Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?

(a) 2, 8

(b) 8, 2, 1

(c) 2, 1, 8

(d) 2, 8, 1

Ans: (d) 2, 8, 1