Class 9 Science


Structure of Atom

Matters are made of tiny particles called atom. Atom is made of three particles; electron, proton and neutron. These particles are called fundamental particles of an atom or sub atomic particles.

In this section, you will learn about discovery of electron, proton and neutron. You will also learn about Thomson's model of atom and Rutherford's model of atom.

Electron (e)

Electron is denoted by ‘e’ and is a negatively charged particle. The absolute charge over an electron is equal to `1.6xx10^-19` of negative charge and is considered equal to – 1.

The relative mass of electron is 1/1836. Since the mass of an electron is very small, thus it is considered equal to 0. Electrons revolve round the nucleus of atoms.

Proton (p+)

Proton is denoted by ‘p’ and is positively charged particle. The absolute charge over proton is `1.6xx10^-19` coulomb of positive charge and it is considered as unit positive charge. Thus absolute charge over a proton is equal to +1.

The absolute mass of a proton is equal to `1.6xx10^-24` g and considered equal to 1 as it is equal to the mass of 1 hydrogen atom. Proton is present in the nucleus of atom.

Neutron (n)

Neutron is denoted by ‘n’ and is a neutral particle.

The absolute mass of neutron is `1.6 xx 10^ -24` g. The relative mass of neutron is equal to 1. Neutron is presents in the nucleus of atom.

Nucleus – The centre of atom is called nucleus. Nucleus comprises of neutron and proton. Nucleus of an atom contains the whole mass of an atom.

Discovery of Electron

In 1897; J. J. Thomson, a British physicist, proposed that atom contains at least one negatively charged particle. Later this particle was named as electron. Thomson called those particles ‘corpuscles’.

Discovery of Proton

Ernest Goldstein in 1886 discovered the presence of new radiation in gas discharge tube even before the identification of electron. He called these rays as Canal Rays. His experiment led to the discovery of proton.

Discovery of Neutron

In 1932 J. Chadwick discovered another subatomic particle called neutron. Neutron is present in the nucleus of all atoms.

Thomson’s Model of Atom

J. J. Thomson proposed the model of atom similar to a Christmas Pudding or similar to a watermelon. His model of atom is generally called plum and pudding model of atom.

Thomson model of atom

He proposed that electrons are embedded the way black seeds of water melon are embedded; in the sphere of positive charge. According to Thomson

(a) An atom consists of positively charged sphere in which electrons are embedded.

(b) The quanta of negative and positive charges are equal. The equal number of negative charge and positive charge makes an atom electrically neutral.

Rutherford’s Model of Atom

Ernest Rutherford in 1909 with his team bombarded very thin gold foil with α – particles. He found that

diagram of rutherford's alpha scattering experiment

On the basis of his observation, he proposed the model of atom. The Rutherford's Model of Atom is as follows:

The Rutherford’s Experiment is also known as Geiger-Marsden Experiment.

Drawbacks of Rutherford Model

However, the problem of atomic mass could be solved after the discovery of neutron.

Quiz



See Answer

1: (a) 1.6 × 10-19, 2: (c) Three, 3: (a) 1.6 × 10-19, 4: (b) 1.6 × 10-24, 5: (c) 1.6 × 10-24, 6: (d) Thomson, 7: (c) Goldstein, 8: (b) Chadwick, 9: (a) Thomson, 10: (b) α particle