Chapter 1
Atoms, Molecules &
Ions
The Atomic Theory of
Matter
Atomic Theory of Matter
The theory that atoms are the fundamental building
blocks of matter reemerged in the early 19th century,
championed by John Dalton.
Dalton's Postulates
Each element is composed of extremely small
particles called atoms.
Dalton's Postulates
All atoms of a given element are identical to one
another in mass and other properties, but the atoms
of one element are different from the atoms of all
other elements.
Dalton's Postulates
Atoms of an element are not
changed into atoms of a different
element by chemical reactions;
atoms are neither created nor
destroyed in chemical reactions.
Dalton’s Postulates
Compounds are formed when atoms of
more than one element combine; a given
compound always has the same relative
number and kind of atoms.
Law of Constant Composition
Joseph Proust (1754–1826)
⚫ This is also known as the law of definite
proportions.
⚫ It states that the elemental composition of a
pure substance never varies.
Law of Conservation of Mass
The total mass of substances present at the
end of a chemical process is the same as the
mass of substances present before the
process took place.
2.2 The Discovery of
Atomic Structure
The Electron
⚫ Streams of negatively charged particles were
found to emanate from cathode tubes.
⚫ J. J. Thompson is credited with their discovery
(1897).
The Electron
Thompson measured the charge/mass ratio of the
electron to be 1.76 108 coulombs/g.
Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
Once the charge/mass
ratio of the electron was
known, determination of
either the charge or the
mass of an electron
would yield the other.
Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
Robert Millikan
(University of Chicago)
determined the charge
on the electron in 1909.
Radioactivity
⚫ Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of
radiation by an atom.
⚫ It was first observed by Henri Becquerel.
⚫ Marie and Pierre Curie also studied it.
Radioactivity
⚫ Three types of radiation were discovered by
Ernest Rutherford:
⚫ particles
⚫ particles
⚫ rays
The Atom, circa 1900
⚫ The prevailing theory was
that of the “plum pudding”
model, put forward by
Thompson.
⚫ It featured a positive
sphere of matter with
negative electrons
imbedded in it.
Discovery of the Nucleus
Ernest Rutherford shot
particles at a thin
sheet of gold foil and
observed the pattern of
scatter of the particles.
The Nuclear Atom
Since some particles
were deflected at large
angles, Thompson’s
model could not be
correct.
The Nuclear Atom
⚫ Rutherford postulated a very small, dense
nucleus with the electrons around the
outside of the atom.
⚫ Most of the volume of the atom is empty
space.
2.3 The Modern View
of Atomic Structure
Other Subatomic Particles
⚫ Protons were discovered by Rutherford in
1919.
⚫ Neutrons were discovered by James
Chadwick in 1932.
Subatomic Particles
⚫ Protons and electrons are the only particles that
have a charge.
⚫ Protons and neutrons have essentially the same
mass.
⚫ The mass of an electron is so small we ignore it.
Symbols of Elements
Elements are symbolized by one or two letters.
Atomic Number
All atoms of the same element have the same
number of protons:
The atomic number (Z)
Atomic Mass
The mass of an atom in atomic mass units (amu) is
the total number of protons and neutrons in the
atom.
Isotopes
⚫ Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different
masses.
⚫ Isotopes have different numbers of neutrons.
11 12 13 14
6 C 6 C 6 C 6 C
Sample Exercise 2.2
⚫ How many protons, neutrons, and
electrons are in:
⚫ A) an atom of 197Au?
⚫ B) an atom of strontium-90?
⚫ C) a 138Ba atom?
⚫ D) an atom of phosphorus-31?
Sample Exercise 2.3
⚫ Magnesium has three isotopes, with mass
numbers 24, 25, and 26. Write the complete
chemical symbol for each of them. How
many neutrons are in an atom of each
isotope?
⚫ Give the complete chemical symbol for the
atom that contains 82 protons, 82 electrons
and 126 neutrons.
2.4 Atomic Weights
Atomic Mass
Atomic and molecular
masses can be
measured with great
accuracy with a mass
spectrometer.
Average Mass
⚫ Because in the real world we use large
amounts of atoms and molecules, we use
average masses in calculations.
⚫ Average mass is calculated from the isotopes
of an element weighted by their relative
abundances.
2.5 The Periodic Table
Periodic Table
⚫ It is a systematic
catalog of the
elements.
⚫ Elements are
arranged in order of
atomic number.
Periodicity
When one looks at the chemical properties of
elements, one notices a repeating pattern of
reactivities.
Periodic Table
⚫ The rows on the
periodic chart are
periods.
⚫ Columns are groups.
⚫ Elements in the same
group have similar
chemical properties.
Groups
These five groups are known by their names.
Periodic Table
Nonmetals are
on the right side
of the periodic
table (with the
exception of H).
Periodic Table
Metalloids
border the
stair-step line
(with the
exception of
Al, Po, and
At).
Periodic Table
Metals are on
the left side of
the chart.
