1.
1 PARTICLES IN THE ATOMS AND ATOMIC RADIUS
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
1. Understand that atoms are mostly empty space surrounding a very small, dense nucleus
that contains protons and neutrons; electrons are found in shells in the empty space around
the nucleus
2. Identify and describe protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges and
relative masses
3. Understand the terms atomic and proton number, mass, and nucleon number
4. Describe the distribution of mass and charge within an atom
5. Describe the behaviour of beams of protons, neutrons and electrons moving at the same
velocity in an electric field
6. Determine the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons present in both atoms and ions
given the atomic or proton number, mass or nucleon number and charge
7. State and explain qualitatively the variations in atomic radius and ionic radius across a
period and down a group
Introduction
Atoms are mostly empty space surrounding a very small, dense nucleus containing protons
and neutrons.
The electrons are found in shells in the empty space around the nucleus
When we use a simple model of the atom, we talk about shells (n = 1, n = 2, etc) and sub-
shells 2s, 2p, etc. In this model, the electrons are at a fixed distance from the nucleus. This
model is useful when we discuss ionisation energies
Protons, neutrons and electrons
Fill up the following table.
Particles Relative charges Relative mass
Electron (e)
Proton (p)
Neutron (n)
Protons, neutrons and electrons in the electric
field
The nucleus of atoms is dense and
positively charged.
Most of the mass of an atom is condensed into a tiny nucleus.
Electrons revolving around the nucleus are negatively charged.
Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
1. Beams of protons, neutrons and electrons behave differently in an electric field due to their differing properties.
The diagram shows the path of a beam of electrons in an electric field.
Add and label lines to represent the paths of beams of protons and neutrons in the same field.
1
[3]
2. The following figure shows the behaviour of a beam of protons in an electric field.
Complete the figure to show the behaviour of separate beams of neutrons and electrons in the same electric field.
Label your diagram clearly. Assume that the beams of each particle are moving at the same velocity. [3]
3. Atoms contain the subatomic particles electrons, protons and neutrons. Protons and electrons were discovered by
observations of their behaviours in electric fields.
(a)The diagram shows the behaviour of separate beams of electrons and protons in an electric field.
(i) Complete the diagram with the relative charge of each of the electrically charged plates. [1]
(ii) On the diagram, draw a line to show how a separate beam of neutrons from the same source behaves in the
same electric field. [1]
1. Beams of charged particles are deflected by an electrical field. The angle of deflection of a particle is proportional to its
charge/mass ratio. In an experiment protons are deflected by an angle of +15°. In another experiment under identical
conditions 2H– ions are deflected by an angle of Y°. What is the value of Y?
A –30.0 B –7.5 C +7.5 D +30.0
2. Beams of charged particles are deflected by an electric field. In identical conditions the angle of deflection of a particle
is proportional to its charge/mass ratio.
In an experiment, protons are deflected by an angle of +15°. In another experiment under identical conditions, particle
Y is deflected by an angle of –5°.
What could be the composition of particle Y?
protons neutrons Electrons
A 1 2 1
B 3 3 5
C 4 5 1
D 4 5 3
Atomic and proton Number; Mass and nucleon number
2
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is called the atomic number (proton
number) (Z). Every atom of the same element has the same number of protons in its
nucleus. It is the atomic number that makes an atom what it is.
The Periodic Table of elements is arranged in order of the atomic numbers of the individual
elements
The mass number (nucleon number) (A) is the number of protons plus neutrons in the
nucleus of an atom.
number of neutrons = A − Z
3. Technetium (Tc) is a second-row transition element that does not occur naturally on Earth. One of its isotopes has 56
neutrons. What is the nucleon number of this isotope?
A 43 B 56 C 99 D 112
Determination of the number of protons, neutrons and electrons
Play some simulation games at the following link to have a clearer visual concept of the simple
structure of atoms.
Build an Atom (colorado.edu)
Ions: charged particles formed by the loss or gain of electrons from an atom or group of
covalently bonded atoms. Remember that positive ions are formed when one or more
electrons are lost by an atom, and that negative ions are formed when one or more
electrons are gained by an atom.
4. Which atom has the same number of electrons as the hydroxide ion, OH–?
AF B Ne C Na D Mg
5. Which atom has the same number of electrons as an ammonium ion?
A Mg B Na C Ne DO
6. HCN has been detected in interstellar gas. The molecules below have also been detected in interstellar gas.
Which molecule contains the same total number of valence shell (outer shell) electrons as HCN?
A HNO B NH C NO D PN
7. Sodium azide, NaN3 is an explosive used to inflate airbags in cars when they crash. It
consists of positive sodium ions and negative azide ions.
What are the numbers of electrons in the sodium ion and the azide ion?
sodium ion azide ion
A 10 20
B 10 22
C 12 20
D 12 22
8. The ion Y3– contains 18 electrons and has a mass number of 31. How many protons and neutrons does Y3– contain?
protons neutrons
A 15 16
B 15 18
3
C 18 13
D 21 10
9. An ion with a charge of 2– contains 10 electrons and 14 neutrons.
What is its nucleon number?
A 14 B 22 C 24 D 26
4. Complete the following table using relevant information from the Periodic Table.
[2]
5. Complete Table 1.1 to show the total numbers of protons and electrons in the molecular ions NH 4+, CO32– and
PO43–. [3]
molecular total number total number
ion of protons of electrons
NH4+
CO32–
PO43–
10. Which species contains a different number of electrons from the other three?
A ClO4– B H2SO4 C SO42– D Te2–
The full symbol for an atom shows its mass number as a superscript and its atomic (proton)
number as a subscript. For example,
shows a carbon atom with mass number 12 and proton number 6.
6. All the Group 2 elements except beryllium have more than one stable isotope.
9 9
(i) Beryllium exists as the single isotope 4 Be . Describe the distribution of mass within an atom of 4 Be .
………………………………………...........................................................................................................................................
………………………………………...........................................................................................................................................
………………………………………...........................................................................................................................................
……………………………………………....................................................................................................................................... [2]
7. Tellurium is an element in Group 16. The most common isotope of tellurium is 130Te. Its electronic configuration
is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4.
Complete the following table. [3]
nucleon number number of neutrons number of electrons
4
130
Te
25
8. 12Mg is an isotope of magnesium.
25
Determine the number of protons and neutrons in an atom of 12Mg. [1]
9. The composition of atoms and ions can be determined from knowledge of atomic number, nucleon number and
charge.
(a)Complete the table. [2]
131
11. Which statement about 53 I is correct?
131
A A negative ion of 53 I contains 53 neutrons and 52 electrons.
131
B A negative ion of 53 I contains 53 neutrons and 54 electrons.
131
C A negative ion of 53 I contains 78 neutrons and 52 electrons.
131
D A negative ion of 53 I contains 78 neutrons and 54 electrons.
12. Which particle contains 8 protons, 9 neutrons and 10 electrons?
13. What number of protons, neutrons and electrons are present in the ion 54Fe3+?
protons neutrons electrons
A 26 28 23
B 26 28 29
C 29 25 23
D 29 25 26
14. Which atom contains four times as many neutrons as the atom?
15. Which species contains the same number of neutrons as and the same number of electrons as ?
16. In which species are the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons all different?
5
17. What is the total number of protons, neutrons and electrons present in an ammonium ion with a relative formula mass
of 21?
Number of Number of Number of
protons neutrons electrons
A 11 10 10
B 10 11 11
C 10 11 10
D 11 10 11
Variations in atomic radius and ionic radius
Atomic radius: The covalent atomic radius is half the distance between the nuclei of two
covalently bonded atoms of the same type. This is not the only type of atomic radius, but it
gives us the best data when comparing the elements across a period.
two major influences on the size of an atom:
1. The number of shells: the more shells an atom has, the bigger it should be. We should see
this effect as we go down a group.
2. The effective nuclear charge: the larger the charge, the more the orbitals are pulled in
towards the nucleus, and so the smaller the atom should be. We should see this effect as
we go across a period.
These two factors combine to produce a predictable pattern in the plot of atomic radius
against proton number, which is borne out by experimental observations.
Stable metal ions are smaller than metal atoms because the atoms have lost their outer
shell electrons, so the attractive forces between the nucleus and outer electrons are larger.
Stable non-metal ions are larger than metal atoms because the atoms have gained
electrons to complete their outer shells, so the attractive forces between the nucleus and
outer electrons is smaller.
6
10. The elements silicon, phosphorus and sulfur are in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.
Describe the variation in atomic radius from silicon to sulfur. [1]
11. State the trend in ionic radius shown by P3–, S2– and Cl –.
Explain your answer. [2]
12. Explain the variation in anionic radius for the elements with atomic numbers 14 to 17. [2]
7
13. The table shows information about some of the elements in the third period.
(i) Explain why the atomic radius of elements in the third period decreases from Na to Cl. [3]
(ii) The radius of the most common ion of Mg is much smaller than the radius of the most common ion of S.
Identify both ions and explain the difference in their radii. [2]
14. State & explain the difference in the ionic radius of Al3+ compared to Mg2+. [3]
18. Which ion has the smallest radius?
A Al3+ B Ba2+ C Mg2+ D Na+
19. Why is the ionic radius of a sulfide ion larger than the ionic radius of a potassium ion?
A Ionic radius always decreases with increasing atomic number.
B Positive ions always have smaller radii than negative ions.
C The potassium ion has more protons in its nucleus than the sulfide ion.
D The sulfide ion is doubly charged; the potassium ion is singly charged.
20. Which row describes the relative sizes of the ionic radii of Na+, Mg2+ and S2–?
8
smallest → largest
A Na+ Mg2+ S2–
B Mg2+ Na+ S2–
C S2– Na+ Mg2+
D S2– Mg2+ Na+
21. This question refers to isolated gaseous species.
The species F–, Ne and Na+ are isoelectronic. This means they have the same number of electrons.
In which order do their radii increase?
smallest largest
A Na+ F– Ne
B F– Ne Na+
C Na+ Ne F–
D Ne F– Na+
22. Element X has six more protons than element Y.
Which statement must be correct?
A Atoms of element Y are smaller than atoms of element X.
B Element X has a full shell of electrons.
C Element X and element Y are in the same group.
D Element X and element Y are in the same period.
***This is not a complete note. It is just to guide you. It is recommended to study the prescribed textbooks along with this
material. ***
