Page 1 - 3. LESSON NOTES-(BOHR'S MODEL OF AN ATOM)
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SAI International School
Subject-Chemistry
Ch-Structure of atom
Topic- Bohr’s model of an atom
Lesson Notes
Bohr’s Model of an atom
Bohr came up with these postulates to overcome the objections raised against
Rutherford’s model:
Only certain orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons, are allowed inside
the atoms
Electrons revolve around the nucleus in discrete orbits without emission of
radiant energy. Each orbit has a definite energy and is called an energy shell
or energy level.
An orbit or energy level is designated as K, L, M, N shells. When the electron
is in the lowest energy level, it is said to be in the ground state.
An electron emits or absorbs energy when it jumps from one orbit or energy
level to another.
When it jumps from a higher energy level to lower energy level, it emits
energy while it absorbs energy when it jumps from lower energy level to
higher energy level.
Orbits
Orbits are energy shells surrounding the nucleus in which electrons revolve.
Discovery of neutrons: James Chadwick
Hydrogen atom has one proton and one electron. Since the mass of protons is one
unit and the electrons have negligible mass the mass of Hydrogen atom was found
to be 1 unit. Helium atom which has 2 protons and 2 electrons its expected mass
would have been 2 units but it was observed that its mass was 4 units. Thus,
Chadwick concluded that the atoms consist of neutral particles whose masses are
roughly equal to mass of proton and are present inside the nucleus.
Properties of electrons, protons, and neutrons
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