1

MODULE

Electronic
Structure of
Matter
Overview
However, It could not explain why metals or
compounds of metals give off characteristic colors
when heated in a flame, or why objects–when
heated to much higher temperatures first glow to
dull red, then to yellow, and then to white.
Overview
A model different from Rutherford’s atomic model is
necessary to describe the behavior of atoms Niel’s
Bohr refined Rutherford’s model of an atom. Based
on his experiments, Bohr described the electron to
be moving in definite orbits around the nucleus.

Rutherford’s atomic model Bohr’s atomic model

Remember the
atomic model?
Overview
In addition, you will know more about the present
model of the atom, which is called the quantum
mechanical model of the atom.
Overview
It is important for you to understand that the
chemical properties of atoms, ions and molecules are
related to how the electrons are arranged in these
particles of matter.
Overview
You will find out the answers to the following
questions as you perform the activities in this
module.
Earlier concepts of the atomic structure appeared
when scientists began to study the emission and
absorption of light from different elements.
 They theorized that emission of light of these
elements have something to do with the structure of
their atoms.
NIELS BOHR
NEILS BOHR
(1885-1962) He is a
Dannish physicist
and Nobel laureate
in physics. He
provide the answer
on the confect
between the theory
of Maxwell and
Rutherford.
 NIELS BOHR
NEILS BOHR
Recall the Rutherford’s
model and its major
flaws. To Bohr, the
defect was not with the
nucleus of the atom. It
was with Maxwell’s
electromagnetic theory
predicting a continuous
spectrum from
oscillating system.
 NIELS BOHR
NEILS BOHR
Bohr took the nuclear
atom and dressed it
with Planck’s quantum
attire, kept part
Maxwell’s theory, and
barrow Newton’s laws
of motion. He then
proposed the first
workable theory of
atomic structure.
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:
Centrifugal
force (CF)
(CF)
1: A hydrogen atom consists
(FA) of nucleus containing a
proton and an electron. The
electron revolves around
Force of
attraction (FA) the nucleus. There is a force
(FA)
of attraction between the
nucleus and the electron.
His force balances the
centrifugal force on the
(FA)
electron.

(CF)

(CF)
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:

2: Only certain
circular orbits
are permitted.
(postulate, the
radii of three
orbits can be
calculated).
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:
3: The energy of
the electron in a given
orbit is fixed. As long
as the electron stays
in that orbit, neither
absorbs nor radiates
energy. The non-
radiating state is
called the stationary
state.
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:
4: The elec-
tron may move
from one
stationary state
to another. To
do so, it must
absorb or emit a
qualitative
energy exactly
equal to the
difference in
energy between
the two states.
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:
4: The electron
may move from
one stationary
state to another.
To do so, it must
absorb or emit a
qualitative
energy exactly
equal to the
difference in
energy between
the two states.
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:

Equation
Representation:
hf = E2 – E1
E1
Where:
h = Plank’s constant
f = frequency
E2 E2 and E1 = respective
energy levels between
an electron jumps
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:

E2 Ground State- electrons

normally exist in the
lowest energy state.
 NEILS BOHR’s MODEL
The postulates are as follows:

E1 Excited state-
electrons goes to
a higher energy
state.
STRUCTURE OF AN ATOM
ENERGY LEVELS IN AN ATOM
MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
WHAT DOES “LEVELS OF ENERGY” MEAN IN TERMS
OF THE STRUCTURE OF ATOM?
The following information are needed in
answering this question:
A: The nucleus of an atom is positively
charged because of its protons.
B: The electrons surrounding the nucleus
are negatively charged.
C: In an atom, number of protons equals the
number of electrons.
 MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
In 1914, Neil's Bohr proposed a theory about atomic
structure which explained the line spectra of elements.
He proposed that the movement of electrons is
analogous to the planets orbiting the sun.
MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
He referred to this as a model, a description or analogy
used to help visualize a phenomenon. He suggest that
there are several orbits where electrons may be located.
The orbits available to the electrons are said to be
quantized, meaning they are at definite distances from the
nucleus.
 MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
He referred to this as a model, a description or analogy
used to help visualize a phenomenon. He suggest that
there are several orbits where electrons may be located.
The orbits available to the electrons are said to be
quantized, meaning they are at definite distances from the
nucleus.

ORBIT 1 ORBIT 2 ORBIT 3

ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
The quantized energy levels in an atom can be
compared to the steps in a staircase. Where your feet
have to be definite step. You can cannot stand
between steps. It means each step represents a
discrete or quantized amount of energy.

ORBIT 1 ORBIT 2 ORBIT 3

ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
 MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
The possible locations of electrons beginning from the
innermost (closest to the nucleus), are generally
referred to as K, L, M, N, O, P and Q orbits or shell.

M-shell P-shell

L-shell O-shell Q-shell

K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
When an electron is at K-shell, it is nearest to the
nucleus, hence it is most strong to the nucleus. It has
the lowest energy.

M-shell P-shell

L-shell O-shell Q-shell

K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
The energy that possessed by the electrons in K-shell
may also be seen as the energy level of the K-shell. Any
electron occupying this shell must have this amount of
energy.

M-shell P-shell

L-shell O-shell Q-shell

K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 MAIN ENERGY LEVELS
The electron has the greatest energy when it is farthest
from the nucleus. In other words, the difference s from
the nucleus correspond the definite to different energy
value.

M-shell P-shell

L-shell O-shell Q-shell

K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
THE QUANTUM NUMBER
The QUANTUM NUMBER
QUANTUM THEORY, in physics, description of the
particles that make up matter and how they
interact with each other and with energy.
Quantum theory explains in principle how to
calculate what will happen in any experiment
involving physical or biological systems, and how
to understand how our world works. The name
“quantum theory” comes from the fact that the
theory describes the matter and energy in the
universe in terms of single indivisible units called
quanta (singular quantum).
The QUANTUM NUMBER

• WHAT IS A QUANTUM NUMBER?

number expressing property of particle: any one
of the set of integers or half integers that
characterize the properties and energy states of an
elementary particle or system.

QUANTA= Packets of energy.

ORBITALS = is a region around the nucleus in
which an electron will most likely be found.
The QUANTUM NUMBER
• WHAT IS A QUANTA?

QUANTA= Packets of energy.

1. smallest quantity of energy: the smallest discrete
quantity of a physical property such as
electromagnetic radiation or angular momentum
2. smallest unit: the smallest unit used to measure a
physical property. For example, the quantum of
electromagnetic radiation is the photon.
3. quantity: a required quantity or amount,
especially an amount of money paid in
recompense
4. particular amount: a portion or allotment
The FOUR QUANTUM NUMBER
QUANTUM NUMBERS: Numbers that describes
the distribution of electrons in hydrogen and
other atoms.
These quantum number will be used to describe
atomic orbitals and level electrons that resides in
them.
The FOUR QUANTUM NUMBER
QUANTUM NUMBERS: Numbers that describes
the distribution of electrons in hydrogen and
other atoms

I. Principal Quantum Number

II. Azimuthal Quantum Number

III. Magnetic Quantum Number

IV. Spin Quantum Number

I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER(n): can have
integral values 1, 2, 3, and so forth; it
corresponds to quantum number. In a hydrogen
atom, the value of n determines the energy of
the orbital.

M-shell P-shell
L-shell O-shell Q-shell
K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER(n):
It also relates the average distance of the electron from
the nucleus in a particular orbit. The larger n is, the
greater the average distance of an electron in the orbital
from the nucleus and therefore the larger the orbital.

M-shell P-shell
L-shell O-shell Q-shell
K-shell N-shell
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
To summarize the
principal quantum
number is the
number of energy
level an atom has.

Example of n:

1
n:
2
45
63
7
I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
Tips:
The principal
quantum number is
the number of
energy level.
The number of
energy level is also
presented in the
“PERIODS” of
Periodic table
I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
 I: The PRINCIPAL QUANTUM NUMBER (n)

Element n Element n
Helium (He) 1 Krypton (Kr) 4
Barium (Ba) 6 Zinc (Zn) 4
Carbon (C) 2 Magnesium (Mg) 3
Gold (Au) 6 Mercury (Hg) 6
Silver 5 Francium (Fr) 7
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

Also known as the

ANGULAR MOMENTUM
QUANTUM NUMBER (l):
It tells us the shape of
the orbitals n.
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

The value of l depend on

the values of n. For a
given value of n, l has
possible integral values
from 0 to (n- 1). If (n=1),
there is only on value of
l, that is n- 1 = 1 – 1 = 0.
If n=2, there are two
values of l, given by 0
and 1. If n= 3, there are
3 values of l, given by 0,
1, and 2.
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

The value of l is
Name of
the Orbital l
generally designated by
the letters, s 0
s, p, d, … as follows: p 1
d 2
f 3
g 4
h 5
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

The usual sequence of

Name of
the Orbital Origin
letters (s, p, and d) has
historical origin. s sharp
Physicist who studied p Principal
atomic emission spectra
tried to correlate the d diffused
observed spectra lines
with particular energy f fundamentals
state involved in the g
transitions. follows by
alphabetically
h
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

The usual sequence of

Name of
the Orbital Origin
letters (s, p, and d) has
historical origin. s sharp
Physicist who studied p Principal
atomic emission spectra
tried to correlate the d diffused
observed spectra lines
with particular energy f fundamentals
state involved in the g
transitions. follows by
alphabetically
h
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Orbitals have specific energy values. They have
particular shapes and direction in space. The s
orbitals are spherical, p orbitals are dumbbell-
shaped, and d are clover as shown in Figure 5.

d-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
direction, unlike the three kinds of p orbitals which
are oriented along the x, y, and z axes. So they
different orientations in space, px, py, and pz.

d-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

Principal
Sharp orbital
Diffused orbitaloror
p-Orbital
s-Orbital
d-Orbital

Energy Level
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of s-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

The following where the

shapes of the orbitals:

Right:
The diagram of s-orbital
into different energy
levels

1s 2s 3s
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of p-orbital
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of p-orbital

y
x y x
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of d-orbital
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of d- dxz and dyz
orbital

x y

y
y

dz2 dxy and dx2-y2

II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of f-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of f-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The diagram of f-orbital
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
The orbitals where distributed in the different
energy levels.
The energy releases electrons (which previously
absorbed energy) as they fall back to their original
energy state appeared as spectral line, or line of
color in a spectroscope.
More sensitive spectroscopes, finer lines are seen
within each line of color. What are the these finer
lines? What does this observation tell us about the
atom?
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
MAIN ENERGY LEVELS IN THE
ATOM AND THEIR SUBLEVEL It means that each main
Main Energy Sublevel energy level in an atom
Level actually consists of
1 or K
sublevels of energy.
s Although a number
2 or L s, p electrons may be found in
same main energy they
3 of M s, p, d, may actually be found in
4 or N different sublevels of
s, p, d, f energy.
5 or O s, p, d, f Electrons in a particular
6 or P s, p, d main energy level do not
really possess the same
7 or Q s, p amount of energy.
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Main Energy Level Sublevel Main Energy Level Sublevel
1 or K s 5 or O s, p, d, f
2 or L s, p 6 or P s, p, d
3 of M s, p, d, 7 or Q s, p
4 or N s, p, d, f

s, p, d, f
s, p, d s, p

s, p s, p, d
Q-shell
s s, p, d, f
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
No.

Color code of
electron
that
Orbitals

filled
out the
(EL)
s 2
p 6
d 10
f 14
g 18
h 22
i 26
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s23d10
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

Principal
Sharp orbital
Diffused orbitaloror
p-Orbital
s-Orbital
d-Orbital

Energy Level
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

Orbital Map
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)

Electron cloud
II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
4s
3s
2s
1s

Sharp orbital

2p 3p
Principal orbitals

3d

Diffuse orbitals
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s23d10
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
THE ELECTRON CONFIGURATION: A designation of the
most probable distribution.

O V
1s 2s 3s 4s 5s 6s 7s
s 2
p 6 2p 3p 4p 5p 6p 7p
d 10
f 14 3d 4d 5d 6d 7d

4f 5f 6f 7f
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
THE ELECTRON CONFIGURATION: A designation of the
most probable distribution.

O V
Si Susan pumasok sa pinto,
s 2
Si Daddy pumunta sa dilim,
p 6
Paano si Fred Daddy (2x)
d 10
f
Paano Fred Daddy,
14
Fred

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Let us try filling-up electrons using Bohr’s Model.

Element: 1s2
Chlorine (Cl)
Atomic No: 2s2
17
Elec. Con.: 2p6 Cl
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
3p5 3s2
3p5

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Let us try filling-up electrons using Bohr’s Model.

Element: 1s2
Neon (Ne)
Atomic No: 2s2
10
Elec. Con.:
2p6 Ne

1s2 2s2 2p6

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Let us try filling-up electrons using Bohr’s Model.

Element: 1s2
Magnesium
(Mg) 2s2
Atomic No:
12 2p6 Mg

Elec. Con.:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Let us try filling-up electrons using Bohr’s Model.

Element:
Phosphorus
1s2
(P)
Atomic No: 2s2
15
Elec. Con.:
2p6 P
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
3p3 3s2
3p3

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6 6f14 7d10 7f14
 EXAMPLE
Let us try filling-up electrons using Bohr’s Model.

Element:
Phosphorus
1s2
(P)
Atomic No: 2s2
15
Elec. Con.:
2p6 P
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
3p3 3s2
3p3 Last mnemonics: 3p3
n= 3
l= (n-1)= 2
ml= +1
ms = +1/2
-1 0 +1
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
Writing your Electron configuration in shortcut method.

Element Atomic Electron configuration Elec. Con.

No. Shortcut
Calcium (Ca) 20 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (Ar) 4s2
Stronium (Sr) 38 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 (Kr) 5s2
4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2
Aluminum (Al) 13 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1 (Ne) 3s2 3p1

Sodium (Na) 11 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 (Ne) 3s1

Carbon (C) 6 1s2 2s2 2p2 (He) 3p2

BACK
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
There are three (3) rules applied on this distribution:

1: The selection of orbitals 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

from the electrons of an 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 4f14
atom in its ground state 5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10
follows an order determined 7p6 8s2
by what is known as the
AUFBAU PRINCIPLE:
Aufbau Principle. Electrons
will successively occupy the As the protons are added one
by one to nucleus to build up
available orbitals in order of
increasing energy. The the elements, electrons are
energy diagram shows the also added to the atomic
orbital.
relative energies of various
orbitals in an atom is listed.
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
There are three (3) rules applied on this distribution:

2: When electrons enter a

HUNDS RULE:
sublevel containing more
The most stable arrangement
than one orbital, they will
of electrons in subshells is the
spread out over the
one with greatest number of
available orbitals with their
parallel spin.
spins in the same direction
before they pair up with
opposite spin. The rule is
known as Hunds’s Rule of
Multiplicity, which was
proposed by Friedrich Hund,
a German physicist.
 II: The AZIMUTHAL QUANTUM NUMBER (l)
There are three (3) rules applied on this distribution:

3: Electrons occupying the PAULI EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE:

same orbital must have No two electrons in an atom
opposite spins (Pauli can have the same four
exclusion principle) quantum numbers.
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)
Describes the orientation of the orbital in space. Within a
subshell, the value of ml depends on the value of l. For certain
value of l, there are (2l +1) integral values of ml.
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)
The magnetic quantum number distinguishes the orbitals
available within a subshell, and is used to calculate the azimuthal
component of the orientation of orbital in space. Electrons in a
particular subshell (such as s, p, d, or f) are defined by values of
ℓ (0, 1, 2, or 3).
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)
The value of m can range from -ℓ to +ℓ, inclusive of zero. Thus
the s, p, d, and f subshells contain 1, 3, 5, and 7 orbitals each,
with values of m within the ranges ±0, ±1, ±2, ±3 respectively.
Each of these orbitals can accommodate up to two electrons
(with opposite spins), forming the basis of the periodic table.
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)

Example of finding the Magnetic quantum number.

4p6 5s2 4d10

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2
ml = +1 ml = 0 ml = +2
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)

Example of finding the Magnetic quantum number.

4p4 5s2 4d9

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2
ml = -1 ml = 0 ml = +1
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)

Example of finding the Magnetic quantum number.

4p5 5s2 4d5

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2
ml = 0 ml = 0 ml = +2
III: The MAGNETIC QUANTUM NUMBER(ml)

Example of finding the Magnetic quantum number.

4p4 5s1 4d8

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2
ml = -1 ml = 0 ml = 0
IV: The SPIN QUANTUM NUMBER (ms)
If the electrons are thought of as spinning on
their own axes, as Earth does, their magnetic
quantum properties can be accountable for.
IV: The SPIN QUANTUM NUMBER (ms)

e- e-
 IV: The SPIN QUANTUM NUMBER (ms)

Example of finding the Magnetic quantum number.

4p6 5s2 4d10

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2

-
ms =+1/2 ms = 1/2 ms =+1/2
+ - -
 IV: The SPIN QUANTUM NUMBER (ms)

Example of finding the Spin quantum number.

4p6 5s2 4d10

-1 0 +1 0 -2 -1 0 +1 +2

-
ms =+1/2 ms = 1/2 ms =+1/2
+ - -
Summary
Electron Configuration
In an atom, electrons and the nucleus interact to
make the most stable arrangement possible.
Electron Configuration
The way in which electrons are distributed in the
different orbitals around the nucleus of an atom is
called the electron configuration.
Electron Configuration
1H = element hydrogen with an atomic number of 1.
Atomic number is the number of proton = the
number of electron for an atom
Electron Configuration
Use this table as guide for the next activity.
Electron Configuration
The properties of elements depend mainly on the arrangement of
electrons outside the nucleus. Although there are other known
particles in an atom, only the electron is located outside the
nucleus.
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called
electron configuration. It is important for us to work out electron
arrangement to be able to understand more and predict the
properties of elements.

Activity No. 3

Electron Configuration
Electron Configuration
Based on Activity 3, you were able to write the
electron configuration of an element using the
periodic table as a guide.
Electron Configuration
Recall from Grade 8 that the elements are
arranged in the periodic table in the order of
increasing atomic number.
Electron Configuration
This also means that the elements are arranged
according to the number of electrons.
Electron Configuration
If you noticed from Table 3, both hydrogen and
lithium have one electron in the highest energy level.
Beryllium has two, and boron has three.
Electron Configuration
So, the number of electrons in the highest
energy level of the elements is the basis of their
location on the periodic table.
Electron Configuration
Since the experimental basis of the periodic table is
chemical properties of the elements, knowing the
arrangement of electrons in an element will help us
understand and predict their chemical properties.
 Summary:
Rutherford’s nuclear atomic model describes the
atom as mostly empty space.
Its mass is
concentrated in the
nucleus that consist
of protons and
neutrons.
However it
could not explain the
chemical properties
of elements.
Summary:
• Bohr’s atomic model describes the atom like a solar system,
where the electron is found only in specific circular paths, or
orbits, around the nucleus.
• In the Bohr model, each electron carries a fixed amount of energy
and does not lose energy as long as it stays in its given orbit. The
fixed energies that the electrons have are called energy levels. An
electron that has received enough energy can jump to a higher
energy level. When the electron returns to a lower energy level,
energy is emitted in the form of light.
• The Bohr model was later replaced by a model of the atom that
showed that electrons are not limited to fixed orbits around the
nucleus.
• Through mathematical calculations, scientists explained that
there is only a probability that the electron can be found in a
certain volume in space around the nucleus. This volume or
region of space around the nucleus where the electron is most
likely to be found is called an atomic orbital
Summary:
• Schrodinger formulated a mathematical equation that
describes the behavior of the electron. The solution to the
equation is used to calculate the probability of finding the
electron at a particular region in space around the nucleus.
• The quantum mechanical model of the atom describes the
atom as having a nucleus at the center around which the
electrons move. This model describes a region in space
where the electron is most likely to be found.
• An electron is imagined to be a cloud of negative charge
having a certain geometrical shape. The electrons are
arranged in principal or main energy levels that consist of
one or more sublevels.
• The way in which electrons are distributed in the different
orbitals around the nucleus of an atom is called the electron
configuration. Filling of electrons start from lower energy
level to highest energy level