Chemistry HW 2.

1. Which part of Daltons Atomic Theory was affected by the discovery of subatomic
particles?

The first tenet of his theory: atoms are indivisible. We know now that atoms are
composed of smaller discrete particles.

2. What are cathode rays? Why are they called cathode rays? How do cathode rays act
differently than ordinary light?

Cathode rays are rays originating from the cathode of a gas discharge tube to which an
electric current has been applied. These rays are composed of negatively charged particles,
electrons. They are called cathode rays because they move from the cathode (-) to the
anode (+). They differ from ordinary light because they can be deflected by magnetic and
electric fields and thus show a property of matter.

3. What evidence from Rutherfords gold-foil experiment led him to propose that the atom
had a central region he called the nucleus?

The observation that only a small fraction of the bombarded alpha particles (+) were
strongly deflected (repelled) by the foil suggested that there was a positive region but that
it was small and dense.

4. Where are the protons, neutrons, and electrons located inRutherfords atomic model?

The protons and neutrons are located in the (central) nucleus. The electrons orbit the
nucleus at a great distance from it. Atoms are mostly empty space.

5. Compare the mass and volume of the nucleus to that of the whole atom.

The nucleus contains virtually all (>99%) of the atoms mass and very little (< 0.01%) of the
atoms volume.

6. Explain what each of the following scientists contributed to atomic theory.

(a) John Dalton first atomic theory; atoms rearrange during chemical reactions; atoms
combine in fixed ratios to form compounds
(b) JJ Thomson discovered that atoms contain subatomic particles (electrons);
determined the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of the electron
(c) Ernest Rutherford discovered the nucleus, a positively charged dense central core of
the atom; identified the proton (nucleus of a hydrogen atom); proposed the existence
of a neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus (neutron)
7.
Nuclear No. of No. of No. of Atomic Mass Charge/
Symbol Protons Neutrons Electrons Number Number Valence

12
a. C 6 6 6 6 12 0
6

11
b. B 5 6 5 5 11 0
5

25
c. Mg 12 13 12 12 25 0
12

9
d. Be 4 5 4 4 9 0
4

8. atomic number: 19
mass number: 39
symbol: 39K
19

9. Yttrium:39 protons, 39 electrons, 49 neutrons

10. Protons and neutrons constitute the mass of the atom. The mass of an electron is only
1/2000 the mass of a proton (or neutron) and so do not contribute significantly to the
mass of an atom.