Electrical theory

Topic: Structure of the Atom

Question
What is Matter?

Matter is any substance that has mass and occupies space. Matter can exist in any of three
states: solid, liquid, or gas
All matter is made from a combination of atoms. The atom is the basic building block of
the universe. To understand electricity, it is necessary to start with the study of atoms. An
atom is the smallest part of an element

The Atom
a. The three principal parts of an atom are
i. Electron
ii. Neutron
iii. Proton

a. The neutron and proton combine to form the nucleus of the atom. Because the
neutron has no charge, the nucleus will have a net positive charge. The number of
protons in the nucleus determines the element of an atom. The lines of force
produced by the positive charge of the proton extend outward in all directions.
The nucleus may or may not contain as many neutrons as protons. The electron
orbits around the outside of the nucleus.
i. Electron ve charge
ii. Proton + ve charge
iii. Neutron no charge

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b. The latest scientific measurements suggest protons and neutrons weigh about
1838 times more than the electron, and that the electron is approximately 1/1000
the size of a proton, Many scientists believe that it is almost impossible to
accurately measure the size of these particles and the actual size is of no real
importance. It is the characteristics of the particles that is of importance
Electron Orbits

Atoms have a set number of electrons that can be contained in one orbit, or shell,
called an electron orbit, The number of electrons that can be contained in any one
shell is found by the formula (2n^2). The letter n represents the number of the
orbit, or shell.
Use the formula number of electron per shell = 2n^2
i. 1st shell = 2*1^2=2 electrons
ii. 2nd shell = 2*2^2= 8 electrons
iii. 3rd shell = 2*3^2 = 18 electrons

An atom can have one or more electrons added to it or taken away. This does not change its
elemental classification but it disturbs its electrical balance. If the atom has excess electrons,
it is said to be negatively charged. A charged atom is called an ion.
A body containing a number of ionized atoms is also said to be electrically charged. It can be
shown that positively and negatively charged bodies are mutually attracted to one another
whereas similarly charged bodies repel one another.
Law of electric charge
One of the basic laws concerning atoms is the law of charges, which states that opposite
charges attract and like charges repel.
The negatively charged ELECTRONS are held in their orbits by their attraction to
the positively charged PROTONS
The concept of the free electron
With some types of materials, such as metals, the outermost electrons in the atoms
are so loosely bound that they chaotically move in the space between the atoms of
that material by nothing more than the influence of room-temperature heat energy.
Because these virtually unbound electrons are free to leave their respective
atoms and float around in the space between adjacent atoms, they are often
called free electrons.
The outer shell of an atom is known as the valence shell. Electrons located in the
outer shell of an atom are known as valence electrons. Valence electrons that
leave the outermost shell are called free electrons

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Summary
1. The atom is the smallest part of an element.
2. The three basic parts of an atom are the proton, electron, and neutron.
3. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no
charge.
4. One of the basic laws concerning atoms is the law of charges, which states that opposite
charges attract and like charges repel.
5. The formula for number of electron per shell = 2n^2
6. Valence electrons are the electrons located in the outer orbit of an atom.
7. These virtually unbound electrons are free to leave their respective atoms and float
around in the space between adjacent atoms, they are often called free electrons

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Structure of the Atom

1. Matter is any ________________ that has ______________ and
___________ space.
2. List the three state of matter
o ______________________
o ______________________
o ______________________
3. What are the three subatomic parts of an atom?
o ______________________
o ______________________
o ______________________
4. What charge does each subatomic carry?
o ______________________
o ______________________
o ______________________
5. Complete
1st shell = 2*1^2=2 electrons
2nd shell = 2*2^2= 8 electrons
3rd shell = 2*3^2 = 18 electrons
4th shell =
6. Valence electron is located in the inner most shell T/F
7. Valence electron is located in the _____________ shell.
8. Free electron move when ___________ is applied
9. List two material that will have free electrons
o ______________________
o ______________________
10.Draw an Atom and label same

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