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Structure of Atom
68 topics across 7 chapters
Chapter 1
Historical models of the atom
1
Early atomic theory (Dalton & Thomson)
2 subtopics
2
State Dalton’s key postulates and what they explained well
3
Explain cathode-ray evidence for electrons (what was measured and inferred)
4
Rutherford nuclear model
2 subtopics
5
Interpret the gold-foil (alpha scattering) experiment outcomes
6
Sketch and label the nuclear atom (nucleus, electrons, empty space)
7
Bohr model of hydrogen
2 subtopics
8
Solve Bohr-model problems for hydrogen (energy levels and transitions)
9
List successes and limitations of the Bohr model (especially for multi-electron atoms)
10
Why classical models fail (toward quantum)
1 subtopics
11
Connect atomic stability + line spectra to the need for quantization
Chapter 2
Subatomic particles & basic atomic notation
12
Electron: charge, mass, and role in atoms
2 subtopics
13
Convert between charge units (C and e) and use relative masses in problems
↗ Explain cathode-ray evidence for electrons (what was measured and inferred) (see Chapter 1)
14
Protons & neutrons (nucleons)
2 subtopics
15
Recall proton vs neutron properties (charge, location, relative mass)
16
Explain (conceptually) how the neutron was discovered (Chadwick’s inference)
17
Atomic number, mass number, ions, and nuclide notation
2 subtopics
18
Given a nuclide/ion, compute number of protons, neutrons, and electrons
19
Calculate average atomic mass from isotopic abundances (practice set)
20
Forces in the atom (electromagnetic vs strong nuclear)
1 subtopics
21
Compare electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces (range, strength, role)
Chapter 3
Quantum-mechanical foundations
22
Wave–particle duality (matter waves)
1 subtopics
23
Compute de Broglie wavelength for particles (unit conversions included)
24
Heisenberg uncertainty principle
1 subtopics
25
Apply uncertainty relations to estimate Δx or Δv in simple cases
26
Schrödinger picture & atomic orbitals (probability model)
1 subtopics
27
Interpret s, p, d, f orbital shapes and probability density diagrams
28
Quantum numbers, Pauli exclusion, and Hund’s rule
1 subtopics
29
Assign quantum numbers and determine electrons per orbital/subshell/shell
Chapter 4
Electron configuration & periodicity
30
Aufbau principle & orbital energy ordering
1 subtopics
31
Use the (n + l) rule to order subshell energies; know common exceptions at a high level
32
Writing electron configurations (spdf notation)
2 subtopics
33
Write electron configurations for elements (at least H through Kr) including key exceptions
34
Draw orbital box diagrams and apply Pauli + Hund correctly
35
Periodic trends explained by atomic structure
1 subtopics
36
Predict and explain trends (atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity)
37
Valence electrons and chemical behavior (intro connection)
1 subtopics
38
Determine valence electron count and common ion charges from position/configuration
Chapter 5
Atomic spectra & light
39
Electromagnetic radiation basics (λ, ν, c, photon energy)
1 subtopics
40
Do conversions between wavelength, frequency, and photon energy (E = hν)
↗ Wave–particle duality (matter waves) (see Chapter 3)
41
Hydrogen line spectrum & the Rydberg relationship
2 subtopics
42
Use the Rydberg equation to calculate wavelengths/frequencies of H spectral lines
43
Explain emission vs absorption spectra using quantized energy levels
44
Applications of atomic spectra (spectroscopy, astronomy, lasers)
1 subtopics
45
Identify real-world uses of spectra (element ID, stars, flame tests/spectrometers)
Chapter 6
Nucleus, isotopes & radioactivity
46
Isotopes and atomic mass (chemical perspective)
2 subtopics
↗ Calculate average atomic mass from isotopic abundances (practice set) (see Chapter 2)
47
Interpret isotopic peak patterns (qualitatively) and relate them to abundance
48
Radioactive decay and half-life
2 subtopics
49
Balance nuclear equations for α, β−, β+, and γ decay
50
Solve half-life problems (remaining mass/amount after n half-lives)
51
Nuclear stability and binding energy
2 subtopics
52
Compute binding energy per nucleon using mass defect (unit handling practice)
53
Explain why fission and fusion release energy (concept + stability curve idea)
Chapter 7
Experimental evidence & visualization tools
54
Mass spectrometry basics (what it measures and how it’s used)
1 subtopics
55
Read a simple mass spectrum: identify isotopes and estimate relative abundance
56
Particle and wave experiments (diffraction, tracks)
2 subtopics
57
Explain electron diffraction as evidence for matter waves (what the pattern implies)
58
Interpret basic cloud-chamber track pictures (charge/sign and qualitative behavior)
59
Visualization & simulations for atomic structure
1 subtopics
60
Complete a guided simulation worksheet on orbitals, energy levels, and spectra

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