Models of the Atom
Ernest Rutherford proposed an atom with a nucleus and negative particles moving around the nucleus.
Amplitude: height of wave from origin to crest
Wavelength (λ): distance between successive crests
(lambda)
Frequency (ν):
how fast wave oscillates. Number of waves per second.
* High frequency → high energy
Greek letter “nu”
Speed of light (c): 3.00 x 108 meters per second
c=λv
If λ is low, then v must be large since c is constant; the reverse is also true.
Long λ light is low energy
Short λ is high energy
Visible light has a wavelength ranging from around 400-800 nm, with different colors each falling somewhere in that range.
MAX PLANCK
…in 1900, proposed that energy is only available in discrete packets, or quanta (singular is quantum); the size of the quantum is related to the frequency of the radiation by a simple equation.
Now Back to Electrons
Danish scientist Neils Bohr (1885-1962) applied Planck’s idea of quantized energy to the model of the atom and helped explain why different elements emit different spectra by going back to the electron.
Potential energy of an electron in an atom depends on the electron’s distance from the nucleus.
When an atom is not excited (ground state), its electrons are in orbit close to the nucleus
If an atom gains energy (excited state), and electron is displaced farther away from the nucleus
Now Back to Electrons
Bohr realized the opposite is also true:
A high-potential (energized) electron won’t hang on to that energy for too long. Once it loses that energy, the electron moves closer to the nucleus.
The energy isn’t “lost” of course, instead it is emitted as a photon of light
Atoms Can Be Identified by the Light They Emit
When atoms absorb energy (from heat or electricity) that atom is temporarily energized and will emit light.
Atoms Can Be Identified by the Light They Emit
The atoms of a particular element can emit only certain frequencies (colors) of light.
As a result, each element produces its own distinct glow when energized.
Atoms Can Be Identified by the Light They Emit
Na atoms emit bright yellow light. That is why they are often used for street lamps.
Ne atoms emit very bright red-orange light.
Specific elements are used in fireworks to give them their colors.
Atoms can be identified by the light emit.
A spectroscope helps us see the individual color components of light.
When we view light from glowing atoms through a spectroscope, we see that the light consists of separate frequencies rather than a continuous spectrum (like we see with a prism).
The pattern of frequencies formed by a given element is referred to as that element’s atomic spectrum.
Atoms can be identified by the light emit.
The atomic spectrum is like an element’s “barcode”. No two elements have exactly the same spectrum, so you can identify what an element is by the light it emits.
Here are the atomic spectrums for some common elements:
Bohr’s Model of the hydrogen atom
Bohr studies the spectrum of excited hydrogen atoms and proposed the following…
Bohr model of hydrogen
Atoms can be identified by the light emit.
Here are some other element’s atomic spectra:
Bohr’s model
Bohr went a bit further and developed a model to reflect how an electron moving around the nucleus is restricted to certain distances from the nucleus.
That distance determines the amount of energy an electron has.
This looks a lot like planets held in orbit around the sun, so this model of the atom became known as Bohr’s planetary model.
The Shell Model
According to this model, electrons behave as though they are arranged in concentric shells.
The Shell Model
An important aspect of this model is that each shell can only hold a limited number of electrons.
The innermost shell can hold 2 electrons.
The second and third can hold 8 each.
The fourth and fifth, 18 each.
The sixth and seventh, 32 each.
Problems with Bohr’s Model
Remember no model is a perfect representation. We use them to help us physically, or conceptually, understand something better.
However, all models have limitations.
Problems with Bohr’s Model:
1) Which three of the lettered changes indicate absorption of energy by the atom?
2) Which three of the lettered changes indicate emission (loss) of energy by the atom?
3) Of the three energy changes that involve emission , one results in the emission of blue light, one results in yellow light, and one results in ultraviolet light.
a. Which lettered change involves the emission of blue light? ____
b. Which lettered change involves the emission of yellow light? ____
c. Which lettered change involves the emission of ultraviolet light? ____