NCERT Solutions Class 9 Science Chapter 4 Structure of the Atom

Class IX Science

 Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: What are canal rays?
Answer : Canal ra ys are positively charged radiations. These rays consist of positively charged particles known as protons. They were discovered by Goldstein in 1886.

Question 2: If an atom contains one electron and one proton, will it carry any charge or not?
Answer : An electron is a negatively charged particle, whereas a proton is a positively charged particle. The magnitude of their charges is equal. Therefore, an atom containing one electron and one proton will not carry any charge. Thus, it will be a neutral atom.

 Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: On the basis of Thomson’s model of an atom, explain how the atom is neutral as a whole.
Answer : According to Thomson’s model of the atom, an atom consists of both negatively and positively charged particles. The negatively charged particles are embedded in the positively charged sphere. These negative and positive charges are equal in magnitude. Thus, by counterbalancing each other’s effect, they make an atom neutral.

Question 2: On the basis of Rutherford’s model of an atom, which subatomic particle is present in the nucleus of an atom?
Answer : On the basis of Rutherford's model of an atom, protons (positively-charged particles) are present in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 3: Draw a sketch of Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells.
Answer: 

Bohr’s model of an atom with three shells

Question 4: What do you think would be the observation if the α-particle scattering experiment is carried out using a foil of a metal other than gold?
Answer: If the α-scattering experiment is carried out using a foil of a metal rather than gold, there would be no change in the observation. In the α-scattering experiment, a gold
foil was taken because gold is malleable and a thin foil of gold can be easily made. It is difficult to make such foils from other metals.

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: Name the three sub-atomic particles of an atom.
Answer: The three sub-atomic particles of an atom are:
(i) Protons
(ii) Electrons, and
(iii) Neutrons

Question 2: Helium atom has an atomic mass of 4 u and two protons in its nucleus. How many neutrons does it have?
Answer: Helium atom has two neutrons. The mass of an atom is the sum of the masses of protons and neutrons present in its nucleus. Since helium atom has two protons, mass contributed by the two protons is (2 × 1) u = 2 u. Then, the remaining mass
(4 − 2) u = 2 u is contributed by 2u/1u = 2 neutrons.

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms?
Answer: Thetotal number of electrons in a carbon atom is 6. The distribution of electrons in carbon atom is given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 4 electrons
Or, we can write the distribution of electrons in a carbon atom as 2, 4.
The total number of electrons in a sodium atom is 11. The distribution of electrons in sodium atom is given by:
First orbit or K-shell = 2 electrons
Second orbit or L-shell = 8 electrons
Third orbit or M-shell = 1 electron
Or, we can write distribution of electrons in a sodium atom as 2, 8, 1.

Question 2: If K and L shells of an atom are full, then what would be the total number of electrons in the atom?
Answer: The maximum number of electrons that can occupy K and L-shells of an atom are 2 and 8 respectively. Therefore, if K and L-shells of an atom are full, then the total number of electrons in the atom would be (2 + 8) = 10 electrons.

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: How will you find the valency of chlorine, sulphur and magnesium?
Answer: If the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom of an element is less than or equal to 4, then the valency of the element is equal to the number of electrons in the outermost shell. On the other hand, if the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom of an element is greater than 4, then the valency of that element is determined by subtracting the number of electrons in the outermost shell from 8.
The distribution of electrons in chlorine, sulphur, and magnesium atoms are 2, 8, 7; 2, 8, 6 and 2, 8, 2 respectively.
Therefore, the number of electrons in the outer most shell of chlorine, sulphur, and magnesium atoms are 7, 6, and 2 respectively.
Thus, the valency of chlorine = 8 −7 = 1
The valency of sulphur = 8 − 6 = 2
The valency of magnesium = 2

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: If number of electrons in an atom is 8 and number of protons is also 8, then (i) what is the atomic number of the atom and (ii) what is the charge on the atom?
Answer:
(i) The atomic number is equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the atomic number of the atom is 8.
(ii) Since the number of both electrons and protons is equal, therefore, the charge on the atom is 0.

Question 2: With the help of Table 4.1, find out the mass number of oxygen and sulphur atom.
Answer:
Mass number of oxygen = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
= 8 + 8
= 16
Mass number of sulphur = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
= 16 +16
= 32

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: For the symbol H, D and T tabulate three sub-atomic particles found in each of them.
Answer:

Question 2: Write the electronic configuration of any one pair of isotopes and isobars.
Answer:
Two isotopes of carbon are ¹²₆C and ¹⁴₆C .
The electronic configuration of ¹²₆C is 2, 4.
The electronic configuration of ¹⁴₆C is 2, 4.
[Isotopes have the same electronic configuration]
⁴⁰₂₀Ca and ⁴⁰₁₈Ar are a pair of isobars
The electronic configuration of ⁴⁰₂₀Ca is 2, 8, 8, 2.
The electronic configuration of ⁴⁰₁₈Ar is 2, 8, 8.

Chapter 4 – Structure of the Atom

Question 1: Compare the properties of electrons, protons and neutrons.
Answer:  

Question 2: What are the limitations of J.J. Thomson’s model of the atom?
Answer:According to J.J. Thomson’s model of an atom, an atom consists of a positively charged sphere with electrons embedded in it. However, it was later found that the positively charged particles reside at the centre of the atom called the nucleus, and the electrons revolve around the nucleus.

Question 3: What are the limitations of Rutherford’s model of the atom?
Answer: According to Rutherford’s model of an atom, electrons revolve around the nucleus in fixed orbits. But, an electron revolving in circular orbits will not be stable because during revolution, it will experience acceleration. Due to acceleration, the electrons will lose energy in the form of radiation and fall into the nucleus. In such a case, the atom would be highly unstable and collapse.

Question 4: Describe Bohr’s model of the atom.
Answer: Bohr’s model of the atom
Niels Bohr proposed the following postulates regarding the model of the atom.
(i) Only certain orbits known as discrete orbits of electrons are allowed inside the atom.
(ii) While revolving in these discrete orbits, the electrons do not radiate energy.
These discrete orbits or shells are shown in the following diagram. 

The first orbit (i.e., for n = 1) is represented by letter K. Similarly, for n = 2, it is L − shell, for n = 3, it is M − shell and for n = 4, it is N − shell. These orbits or shells are also called energy levels.

Question 5: Compare all the proposed models of an atom given in this chapter.
Answer :

Question 6: Summarize the rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for the first eighteen elements.
Answer: The rules for writing of the distribution of electrons in various shells for the first eighteen elements are given below.
(i) The maximum number of electrons that a shell can accommodate is given by the formula ‘2n2’, where ‘n’ is the orbit number or energy level index (n = 1, 2, 3…).
The maximum number of electrons present in an orbit of n = 1 is given by 2n2 = 2×12 = 2
Similarly, for second orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×22 = 8
For third orbit, it is 2n2 = 2×32 = 18
And so on……
(ii) The outermost orbit can be accommodated by a maximum number of 8 electrons.
(iii) Shells are filled with electrons in a stepwise manner i.e., the outer shell is not occupied with electrons unless the inner shells are completely filled with electrons.

Question 7: Define valency by taking examples of silicon and oxygen.
Answer: The valency of an element is the combining capacity of that element. The valency of an element is determined by the number of valence electrons present in the atom of that element. If the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is less than or equal to four, then the valency of that element is equal to the number of valence electrons. For example, the atom of silicon has four valence electrons. Thus, the valency of silicon is four. On the other hand, if the number of valence electrons of the atom of an element is greater than four, then the valency of that element is obtained by subtracting the number of valence electrons from eight. For example, the atom of oxygen has six valence electrons. Thus, the valency of oxygen is (8 − 6) i.e., two.

Question 8: Explain with examples
(i) Atomic number,
(ii) Mass number,
(iii) Isotopes and
(iv) Isobars. Give any two uses of isotopes.
Answer: (i) Atomic number The atomic number of an element is the total number of protons present in the atom of that element. For example, nitrogen has 7 protons in its atom. Thus, the atomic number of nitrogen is 7.
(ii) Mass number The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in the atom of that element. For example, the atom of boron has 5 protons and 6 neutrons. So, the mass number of boron is 5 + 6 = 11.
(iii) Isotopes  Isotopes are atoms of the same element having the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. For example, hydrogen has three isotopes. They are protium (¹₁H) , deuterium , (²₁H)  and tritium (³₁H)
(iv) Isobars Isobars are atoms having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers i.e., isobars are atoms of different elements having the same mass number. For example, ⁴⁰₂₀Ca and ⁴⁰₁₈Ar are isobars.
Two uses of isotopes are:
(i) One isotope of uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
(ii) One isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.

Question 9: Na+ has completely filled K and L shells. Explain.
Answer: An atom of Na has a total of 11 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 1. But, Na+ ion has one electron less than Na atom i.e., it has 10 electrons. Therefore, 2
electrons go to K-shell and 8 electrons go to L-shell, thereby completely filling K and L shells.

Question 10: If bromine atom is available in the form of, say, two isotopes ⁷⁹₃₅Br (49.7%) and ⁸¹₃₅Br (50.3%) calculate the average atomic mass of bromine atom.
Answer:  It is given that two isotopes of bromine are ⁷⁹₃₅Br (49.7%) and ⁸¹₃₅Br (50.3%) Then, the average atomic mass of bromine atom is given by:
79 x 49.7 /100  + 81 x 50.3 /100
= 3926.3 /100 + 4074.3 /100
= 8000.6/100
= 80.006 u
= 80 u (approx)

Question 11: The average atomic mass of a sample of an element X is 16.2 u. What are the percentages of isotopes ¹⁶₈X and ¹⁸₈X in the sample?
Answer:  It is given that the average atomic mass of the sample of element X is 16.2 u.
Let the percentage of isotope ¹⁸₈X be y%. Thus, the percentage of isotope ¹⁶₈X will be (100 − y) %.
Therefore,
Therefore, the percentage of isotope ¹⁸₈X is 10%.

And, the percentage of isotope ¹⁶₈X is (100 − 10) % = 90%. 

Question 12: If Z = 3, what would be the valency of the element? Also, name the element.
Answer: By Z = 3, we mean that the atomic number of the element is 3. Its electronic configuration is 2, 1. Hence, the valency of the element is 1 (since the outermost shell has only one electron).
Therefore, the element with Z = 3 is lithium.

Question 13: Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species X and Y are given as under
X Y
Protons = 6 6
Neutrons = 6 8
Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the relation between the two species?
Answer: Mass number of X = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
= 6 + 6
= 12
Mass number of Y = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
= 6 + 8
= 14
These two atomic species X and Y have the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. Hence, they are isotopes.

Question 14: For the following statements, write T for ‘True’ and F for ‘False’.
(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons.
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is neutral.
(c) The mass of an electron is about 1/2000 times that of proton.
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine. 
Answer:
(a) J.J. Thomson proposed that the nucleus of an atom contains only nucleons. (F)
(b) A neutron is formed by an electron and a proton combining together. Therefore, it is neutral. (F)
(c) The mass of an electron is about 1/2000 times that of proton. (T)
(d) An isotope of iodine is used for making tincture iodine, which is used as a medicine. (T)

Question 15: Put tick (✓) against correct choice and cross (X) against wrong choice in the following question:
Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus
(b) Electron
(c) Proton
(d) Neutron
Answer: Rutherford’s alpha-particle scattering experiment was responsible for the discovery of
(a) Atomic nucleus (✓)
(b) Electron (X)
(c) Proton (X)
(d) Neutron (X)

Put tick (✓) against correct choice and cross (X) against wrong choice in the following question:
Isotopes of an element have
(a) the same physical properties
(b) different chemical properties
(c) different number of neutrons
(d) different atomic numbers
Answer: Isotopes of an element have
(a) the same physical properties  (X) 
(b) different chemical properties  (X) 
(c) different number of neutrons  (✓) 
(d) different atomic numbers  (X) 

Question 17: Put tick (✓)  against correct choice and cross (X) against wrong choice in the following question:
Number of valence electrons in Cl− ion are:
(a) 16
(b) 8
(c) 17
(d) 18
Answer: Number of valence electrons in Cl− ion are:
(a) 16 (X) 
(b) 8 (✓)
(c) 17 (X) 
(d) 18 (X) 

Question 18: Which one of the following is a correct electronic configuration of sodium?
(a) 2, 8
(b) 8, 2, 1
(c) 2, 1, 8
(d) 2, 8, 1
Answer: (d) The correct electronic configuration of sodium is 2, 8, 1. 

Question 19: Complete the following table.

Answer :

Question. Atoms consist of electrons, protons and neutrons. Isotopes of an element show similar chemical properties, but have different atomic weights. Thus they are likely to have:
(a) same number of electrons, protons and neutrons.
(b) same number of electrons and neutrons; different number of protons
(c) same number of neutrons and protons; different number of electrons
(d) same number of electrons and protons; different number of neutrons

Answer : D

Question. We know that like charges repel each other. Then how do the protons, which are all positively charged, stay together in an atom's nucleus?
(a) The neutral charge of the neutron keeps them together.
(b) Nuclei keep decaying in short intervals because of this.
(c) The nucleic force is stronger than their mutual repulsion
(d) That like charges repel is not true at the level of the nucleus.

Answer : C

Question. The number of protons and neutrons in the atom of an element are represented in the given form.Uranium-238 undergoes radioactive decay by losing an alpha particle to produce Thorium. This is expressed mathematically by the following equation.What is the number of protons and neutrons in an alpha particle?

(a) 2 protons and no neutrons
(b) 4 protons and no neutrons
(c) 2 protons and 2 neutrons
(d) No protons and 4 neutrons

Answer : C

Question. The half-life of a radioactive material is the time in which half its atoms decay. Technetium-99 is a radioactive material with a half-life of 6 days. It is used to study blood flow around the body. A sample of technetium-99 has an activity of 96 counts per minute when injected into a patient’s blood stream. Its activity after 18 days would be
(a) 48 counts per minute
(b) 24 counts per minute
(c) 16 counts per minute
(d) 12 counts per minute

Answer : D

Question. Compared to a chlorine atom, Cl, a chlorine ion Cl-, will have _______
(a) one proton less
(b) one neutron more
(c) one electron more
(d) one neutron less and one proton less

Answer : C

Question. Which element is found in both sodium chlorate and zinc nitrate?
(a) nitrogen
(b) Hydrogen
(c) oxygen
(d) Chlorine

Answer : C