1. Earth Science Notes
Atomic Structure

2. Objectives I can… Define atoms Identify the parts of an atom
Describe Variations to Atomic Structure
Identify chemical symbols for given elements and determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons from the atomic and mass numbers.

3. Atomic Structure
Atoms are the fundamental structure for all materials on Earth and the Universe.
In order to understand the Earth’s landforms and structures, we have to understand the things that make those structures up - MATTER
This landform has a reddish color due to the fact that its comprised of iron oxide Fe2O3

4. Atomic Structure
Atom – the smallest particle an element can be broken down into and still retain its chemical properties.
Landforms are made from Rocks, Rocks are made from Minerals, minerals are made from atoms
Above diagram shows the basic Silicon-oxygen structure of Quartz

5. Atomic Structure Structure of an atom:
Protons – positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
Neutrons – largest subatomic particle (barely), very dense, found in nucleus.
Electrons – negatively charged particles with virtually no mass, located out side the nucleus.

6. Atomic Structure

7. Atomic Structure Facts about the atom Most of the atom is empty space
Electrons do not travel in orbits around the nucleus they are located in energy levels
Energy levels have sub-levels

8. Atomic Structure Energy Levels of Atoms
We said atoms are located in energy levels
Electrons closest to the nucleus have the lowest energy
The farther apart the energy levels the greater the difference in energy

9. Atomic Structure Energy Level in Atom Max Number of Electrons 1 2 8 318 4 32 5 6 7

10. Atomic Structure Chemical Symbols – Letters that represent elements
Ex: Carbon  C; Lithium  Li; Copper  Cu
Atomic number – the number of protons in an atom
Atomic mass – the mass of both neutrons and protons.
Mass number

11. Atomic Structure
Some times atoms can have variation in their structures. They can have two different forms of the same atom.
Isotopes of atoms have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

12. Atomic Structure
Atomic structure can also change when electrons are added or subtracted from an atom.
Ions form when atoms gain or lose electrons
Cations (positive ions)
Anions (negative ions)

13. Assessment Can I… Define atoms Identify the parts of an atom
Describe Variations to Atomic Structure
Identify chemical symbols for given elements and determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons from the atomic and mass numbers.