6.3 Atomic theory and structure

Atomic theory and structure underwent significant evolution during the Modern Period. Scientists developed increasingly sophisticated models of the atom, from Dalton's indivisible particles to the quantum mechanical model. These advancements revolutionized our understanding of matter and energy.

The development of atomic theory led to numerous practical applications. From atomic clocks and electron microscopy to nuclear energy and medical imaging, our grasp of atomic structure has profoundly impacted technology, medicine, and industry.

Development of atomic theory

• Atomic theory evolved significantly during the Modern Period, revolutionizing our understanding of matter
• Advances in atomic theory laid the foundation for numerous technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs
• This development reflects the rapid progress in scientific thinking and experimental techniques characteristic of the era

Early atomic models

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• Ancient Greek philosophers proposed the concept of indivisible particles called atoms
• Democritus (460-370 BCE) introduced the term "atomos" meaning uncuttable or indivisible
• John Dalton revived and refined atomic theory in the early 19th century
• Early models lacked experimental evidence and were largely philosophical in nature

Dalton's atomic theory

• Proposed in 1808 by English chemist John Dalton
• Postulated that all matter consists of indivisible particles called atoms
• Atoms of the same element are identical in mass and properties
• Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms, not their creation or destruction
• Compounds form when atoms of different elements combine in whole number ratios

Thomson's plum pudding model

• Developed by J.J. Thomson in 1904 after discovering electrons
• Proposed that atoms consist of a positively charged "pudding" with negatively charged electrons embedded within
• Electrons could be removed from the atom, explaining the phenomenon of ionization
• Model failed to explain the stability of atoms and the observed scattering of alpha particles

Rutherford's nuclear model

• Proposed by Ernest Rutherford in 1911 based on the gold foil experiment
• Introduced the concept of a small, dense, positively charged nucleus
• Electrons orbit the nucleus in a manner similar to planets orbiting the sun
• Explained the scattering of alpha particles observed in experiments
• Raised questions about the stability of atoms due to accelerating electrons

Bohr's planetary model

• Developed by Niels Bohr in 1913 to address shortcomings of Rutherford's model
• Electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus
• Electrons can jump between energy levels by absorbing or emitting specific amounts of energy
• Explained the discrete emission spectra of hydrogen and other elements
• Introduced the concept of quantized energy levels in atoms

Structure of the atom

• Atomic structure became a central focus of scientific inquiry during the Modern Period
• Understanding atomic structure led to advancements in chemistry, physics, and materials science
• This knowledge formed the basis for developing new technologies and understanding natural phenomena

Subatomic particles

• Protons positively charged particles located in the nucleus
• Neutrons electrically neutral particles found in the nucleus alongside protons
• Electrons negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus in electron shells
• Quarks and gluons fundamental particles that make up protons and neutrons
• Discovered through various experiments and theoretical predictions throughout the 20th century

Atomic number vs mass number

• Atomic number (Z) represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus
• Determines the element's identity and its position in the periodic table
• Mass number (A) equals the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
• Calculated using the formula $A = Z + N$ where N is the number of neutrons
• Allows for the identification of isotopes of an element

Isotopes and ions

• Isotopes atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
• Share the same atomic number but have different mass numbers
• Ions atoms or molecules with a net electric charge due to gain or loss of electrons
• Cations positively charged ions formed by losing electrons
• Anions negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons

Electron configuration

• Describes the arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals
• Follows the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule
• Written using spectroscopic notation (1s² 2s² 2p⁶, etc.)
• Determines an element's chemical properties and reactivity
• Explains the formation of chemical bonds between atoms

Quantum mechanical model

• Emerged in the early 20th century as a revolutionary approach to understanding atomic behavior
• Replaced classical physics with probabilistic descriptions of subatomic particles
• Provided a more accurate and comprehensive explanation of atomic phenomena
• Led to numerous technological applications, including lasers and semiconductors

Wave-particle duality

• Concept proposed by Louis de Broglie in 1924
• Particles can exhibit wave-like properties, and waves can exhibit particle-like behavior
• Described by the de Broglie equation $λ = h/p$ where λ is wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is momentum
• Explains phenomena such as electron diffraction and the photoelectric effect
• Fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, challenging classical notions of matter and energy

Heisenberg uncertainty principle

• Formulated by Werner Heisenberg in 1927
• States that it is impossible to simultaneously measure both the position and momentum of a particle with arbitrary precision
• Expressed mathematically as $Δx * Δp ≥ h/4π$ where Δx is uncertainty in position and Δp is uncertainty in momentum
• Implies fundamental limits on our ability to measure and predict quantum systems
• Challenges the deterministic view of classical physics

Schrödinger equation

• Developed by Erwin Schrödinger in 1925
• Describes the behavior of quantum systems, including atoms and molecules
• Represented as $HΨ = EΨ$ where H is the Hamiltonian operator, Ψ is the wave function, and E is the energy
• Solutions to the equation provide information about the possible states of a quantum system
• Forms the basis for understanding atomic orbitals and molecular bonding

Quantum numbers

• Set of four numbers that describe the state of an electron in an atom
• Principal quantum number (n) determines the energy level and size of the orbital
• Angular momentum quantum number (l) describes the shape of the orbital
• Magnetic quantum number (ml) specifies the orientation of the orbital in space
• Spin quantum number (ms) indicates the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron

Periodic table organization

• Developed during the Modern Period as a systematic way to organize chemical elements
• Reflects the underlying atomic structure and electron configurations of elements
• Provides a powerful tool for predicting chemical properties and trends
• Continues to evolve with the discovery of new elements and understanding of atomic structure

Periods and groups

• Periods horizontal rows in the periodic table, representing increasing atomic number
• Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells
• Groups vertical columns in the periodic table, sharing similar chemical properties
• Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons
• Includes special groups such as alkali metals, halogens, and noble gases

Electron shells and subshells

• Shells main energy levels occupied by electrons, designated by numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.)
• Subshells subdivisions of shells, represented by letters (s, p, d, f)
• s-subshell can hold up to 2 electrons
• p-subshell can accommodate up to 6 electrons
• d-subshell has a maximum capacity of 10 electrons
• f-subshell can contain up to 14 electrons

Valence electrons

• Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom
• Determine the chemical properties and reactivity of an element
• Number of valence electrons corresponds to the group number in the periodic table
• Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration
• Explain the formation of chemical bonds and compounds

Periodic trends

• Atomic radius generally decreases across a period and increases down a group
• Ionization energy tends to increase across a period and decrease down a group
• Electron affinity generally increases across a period and decreases down a group
• Electronegativity typically increases across a period and decreases down a group
• Metallic character decreases across a period and increases down a group

Atomic spectroscopy

• Developed during the Modern Period as a powerful tool for studying atomic structure
• Utilizes the interaction between atoms and electromagnetic radiation
• Provides information about electronic transitions and energy levels in atoms
• Finds applications in various fields, including astronomy, materials science, and analytical chemistry

Emission vs absorption spectra

• Emission spectra produced when excited atoms release energy as photons
• Characterized by bright lines on a dark background
• Absorption spectra result from atoms absorbing specific wavelengths of light
• Appear as dark lines on a continuous spectrum
• Both types of spectra are unique to each element, serving as "fingerprints" for identification

Line spectra of elements

• Consist of discrete lines corresponding to specific electronic transitions
• Explained by Bohr's model of the atom and quantum mechanics
• Each element has a unique set of spectral lines
• Wavelengths of spectral lines calculated using the Rydberg formula
• Provide information about the energy levels and electron configurations of atoms

Flame tests and applications

• Simple method for identifying certain elements based on characteristic flame colors
• Sodium produces a bright yellow flame
• Potassium gives a lilac color
• Copper results in a blue-green flame
• Used in qualitative analysis of unknown samples
• Finds applications in fireworks production and forensic science

Modern applications

• Atomic theory and understanding of atomic structure led to numerous technological advancements
• These applications have had profound impacts on various fields, including timekeeping, medicine, and materials science
• Demonstrate the practical significance of atomic-level research in the Modern Period

Atomic clocks

• Utilize the oscillations of atoms to measure time with extreme precision
• Based on the resonance frequencies of atoms (cesium-133)
• Accuracy of about 1 second in 100 million years
• Used in GPS satellites for accurate positioning and navigation
• Critical for synchronizing global communications networks and financial transactions

Nuclear magnetic resonance

• Exploits the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei
• Used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-invasive medical diagnostics
• Allows for detailed imaging of soft tissues in the body
• Applied in chemistry for structural analysis of molecules (NMR spectroscopy)
• Finds applications in quality control in the food and pharmaceutical industries

Electron microscopy

• Uses beams of electrons instead of light to create high-resolution images
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides images of internal structures
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) produces detailed surface images
• Achieves much higher magnification than optical microscopes
• Applied in materials science, biology, and nanotechnology research

X-ray crystallography

• Determines the atomic and molecular structure of crystals
• Uses the diffraction of X-rays by crystalline atoms
• Reveals the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in materials
• Instrumental in discovering the structure of DNA (Watson and Crick)
• Applied in drug design, materials engineering, and structural biology

Historical experiments

• Crucial experiments conducted during the Modern Period shaped our understanding of atomic structure
• These experiments challenged existing theories and led to new models of the atom
• Demonstrate the importance of empirical evidence in advancing scientific knowledge

Millikan oil drop experiment

• Conducted by Robert Millikan and Harvey Fletcher in 1909
• Determined the charge of an electron with unprecedented accuracy
• Used oil droplets suspended in an electric field
• Demonstrated that electric charge exists in discrete units
• Provided strong evidence for the quantization of electric charge

Cathode ray tube experiments

• Performed by various scientists in the late 19th century
• J.J. Thomson's experiments led to the discovery of electrons in 1897
• Showed that cathode rays were streams of negatively charged particles
• Demonstrated that these particles were identical regardless of the cathode material
• Led to the development of Thomson's plum pudding model of the atom

Gold foil experiment

• Conducted by Ernest Rutherford, Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden in 1909
• Involved firing alpha particles at a thin gold foil
• Most particles passed through, but some were deflected at large angles
• Results contradicted Thomson's plum pudding model
• Led to the proposal of Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom

Photoelectric effect

• Observed by Heinrich Hertz in 1887, explained by Albert Einstein in 1905
• Describes the emission of electrons from a material when exposed to light
• Demonstrated the particle nature of light (photons)
• Einstein's explanation earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921
• Provided crucial evidence for the wave-particle duality of light

Atomic energy levels

• Concept developed during the Modern Period to explain atomic spectra and chemical behavior
• Fundamental to understanding electron transitions and atomic stability
• Provides a framework for explaining chemical bonding and reactivity
• Forms the basis for many spectroscopic techniques and quantum mechanical calculations

Ground state vs excited states

• Ground state lowest energy state of an atom or molecule
• Excited states higher energy configurations resulting from electron promotion
• Atoms tend to return to their ground state by emitting energy (photons)
• Transitions between states explain atomic spectra
• Excited states play crucial roles in phenomena such as fluorescence and phosphorescence

Ionization energy

• Energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous ground state
• First ionization energy removes the outermost electron
• Subsequent ionization energies remove additional electrons
• Generally increases across a period and decreases down a group in the periodic table
• Reflects the strength with which electrons are held by the nucleus

Electron affinity

• Energy change when a neutral atom in its ground state acquires an electron
• Negative electron affinity indicates energy release during electron addition
• Positive electron affinity requires energy input to add an electron
• Generally becomes more negative across a period and less negative down a group
• Halogens have the highest electron affinities due to their electronic configuration

Atomic orbitals

• Regions in space where electrons are likely to be found around an atom
• Described by wave functions derived from the Schrödinger equation
• Characterized by quantum numbers (n, l, ml)
• s-orbitals spherical in shape
• p-orbitals dumbbell-shaped
• d-orbitals and f-orbitals have more complex shapes
• Orbital filling follows the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule

Nuclear structure

• Understanding of nuclear structure developed rapidly during the Modern Period
• Led to the discovery of nuclear fission and fusion processes
• Resulted in both destructive (nuclear weapons) and constructive (nuclear energy) applications
• Continues to be an active area of research in physics and chemistry

Protons and neutrons

• Protons positively charged particles in the nucleus
• Neutrons electrically neutral particles in the nucleus
• Both classified as nucleons
• Held together by the strong nuclear force
• Number of protons determines the element's identity
• Number of neutrons can vary, leading to isotopes

Nuclear binding energy

• Energy required to break a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons
• Calculated using Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula $E = mc²$
• Explains the stability of nuclei
• Binding energy per nucleon peaks around iron-56, explaining its abundance
• Forms the basis for understanding nuclear reactions and energy release

Radioactive decay

• Spontaneous emission of particles or energy from unstable nuclei
• Alpha decay emission of helium nuclei (two protons and two neutrons)
• Beta decay conversion of neutrons to protons or vice versa, emitting electrons or positrons
• Gamma decay release of high-energy photons from excited nuclei
• Characterized by half-life, the time for half of a sample to decay
• Used in radiometric dating and medical treatments

Nuclear fission vs fusion

• Fission splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones, releasing energy
• Occurs in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs
• Fusion combining light nuclei to form heavier ones, releasing enormous energy
• Powers the sun and other stars
• Potential future energy source through controlled fusion reactions
• Both processes convert small amounts of mass into large amounts of energy