Chapter 2:

The structure of the atom

2.1 Matter
Characteristics of matter
Matter occupies space and has mass
Matter exist in 3 states which is solid, liquid & gas

Characteristic
s
Solid Liquid Gas
Arrangement
of particles
-Arranged closely &
orderly in fixed
position
-Little empty spaces
-Not arranged in
order
-More empty spaces
- still contact with one
another
Not arranged in
order but
separated from
another
Movement of
particles
-Not free to move
- vibrate at fixed
position
-Move randomly and
slowly
- collide against each
other
-Move randomly
and rapidly in all
directions
- collide against
each other
Attraction
force
Very strong Moderate Very weak
Energy
content
Very low Very high
Shape Fixed Follows the container Fills the whole
container
Volume Fixed Fixed Not fixed
Ability to
compressed
Cannot be
compressed
Difficult to compress Can be
compressed
Kinetic theory of matter
Based on the assumptions:
1. Matter is made up of tiny and discrete particles
2. Particles in matter are always vibrating or moving and colliding with
each other
3. Particles often move randomly
4. There are forces of attraction between particles
5. The higher the temperature, the higher the kinetic energy of the
particles


The diffusion of particles in matter supports the kinetic theory
of matter
Diffusion is a process whereby particles of different matters
mix slowly due to the random of particles
Changes in the state of
matter
- through heating or cooling processes
Solid
Liquid Gas
2.2 The Atomic Structure
Subatomic particles
Atoms are made up of tiny particles called
subatomic particles:
a. Proton
b. Neutron
c. Electron


Subatomic
particles
Proton Neutron Electron
Position In the nucleus In the nucleus Moves around
the nucleus
Relative charge +1 0 -1
Proton number and nucleon number
Proton number = number of proton
= number of electrons in a neutral atom

Nucleon number = number of protons + number of neutrons



Atom No of
protons
No of
electrons
No of
neutrons
Proton
numbers
Nucleon
numbers
P 6 6
Q 7 7
R 9 19
S 7 8
T 10 21
Symbol of Elements

M
g
24
12
Nucleon
number
Proton
number
Symbol of
magnesium
element
2.3 Isotopes & their Importance
Isotopes are atoms of the same element
which have the same number of protons but
different number of neutrons
Isotopes have similar chemical properties
as they have the same electron
arrangement
Isotopes have different physical
properties due to the different number of
neutrons


Example:




C
C C
1
2
6
6 6
1
4
1
3
Uses of isotopes in daily life
Field Isotope Applications
Medical Gamma rays from cobalt-60 used to kill cancer cells
Iodine-131 are injected into patients to detect
malfunction of thyroid glands
Radioactive iodine ions can also kill cancerous cell
grown in thyroid glands
Archaeology Radioisotope Carbon-14 is used to study the age of
ancient artifacts
Agricultural Carbon-14 is used to study the passage of carbon in
photosynthesis of green plants
Phosphorus-32 is added to phosphorus fertilizer to
study the effectiveness of the absorption of phosphorus
by the roots of the plant
Industrial Isotope Sodium-24 is used to detect leakage of
underground pipes
2.4 The Electronic Structure of An Atom