CH111 CHEMISTRY 1A SEMESTER 1 2019

ASSIGNMENT 1

1. ATOMS
a) State Dalton’s hypothesis about the atomic theory and explain further the last three
hypothesis (10mks)
Dalton’s atomic theory proposed that all matter was composed of atoms,
indivisible and indestructible building blocks. While all atoms of an element were
identical, different elements have atoms of different size and mass. Also it states
that all compounds of combinations of these atoms in define ratio and further
more Dalton also postulated that chemical reactions resulted in the
rearrangement of the reacting atoms.

b) Identify the three different kinds of particles in the nucleus of an atom and compare
their properties.
The main particles that are found in the nucleus are Protons, Electrons and
Neutrons

2. An element has three naturally occurring isotopes with the following masses and
abundance:
Isotopes mass (amu) Fractional abundance
27.977 0.9221
28.976 0.0470
29.974 0.0309

-Calculate the atomic weight of the element

0.9221 x 100% = 92.21%
0.0470 x 100% = 4.7%
0.0309 x 100% = 3.09%

Ar = (92.21 x 27 ) + (4.7 x 28.976) + (3.09 x 27.974 = 28.09

100
- What is the identity of the element? The element is Silicon (Si)
3. Give one example (atomic symbol and name) for each of the following. (8mks)
a. A transition in the 5th period- Silver (Ag) atomic number: 47
 b. A halogen- Fluorine (F2) atomic number: 17
c. A main group (representative) element in the third period- Sodium (Na) atomic
number: 11
d. An actinide element-
4. Identify and explain the three principles that govern the order of electron filling of
orbitals. (6mks)
i. Aufbau Principle- states that electrons always fill orbitals of lower energy first.
ii. Pauli Exclusion Principle- states that no two electrons within a particular atom
can have same quantum numbers. In function, this principle means that if two
electrons occupy the same orbital, they must have opposite spin.
iii. Hund’s Rule- states that electrons do not pair in an orbital until all the other
obitals of the same energy (degenerate orbitals) have been occupy by a single
electron.

5. Cite some properties that are characteristics of metals.(4mks)

 Solid at room temperature
 Malleable
 Ductile
 Good conductor of heat and electricity
6. The atomic radius tend to increase within each group with the period number, while
within each period, the atomic radius tends to decrease with increasing atomic number
(nuclear charge). Explain this (5mks)
Atomic Radius is the distance from the center of the nucleus to the outermost shell of
an atom.
Atomic radius decrease moving across a period from left to right. As you go across
protons are being added to the nucleus. The concentration of more protons in the
nucleus increases positive nuclear charge which pulls the electrons closer to the
nucleus resulting in a small atomic radius.
As you descend a group atomic radius increases. New energy levels of shell are added
to accommodate added electron. At the same time, protons are added. Therefore,
each subsequent energy level is further away from the nucleus and the attractive
force of the nucleus dissipates as the electrons are further away from the nucleus.

7. The ionization energy tends to increase in any given period while it tends to decrease in
going down a group. Explain this (5mks)
 Ionization energy: is the energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom in
a gas phase.
Ionization energy increases as you move across a period.
 As you move across a period, the atomic radius decreases, the atom is smaller.
The outer electrons are closer to the effective nuclear charge (nucleus
becomes more positive) and more strongly attracted to nucleus. Therefore it
becomes more difficult to remove an outer electron.
 Metals usually have low ionization energy thus lose electrons easily (less
energy to remove an electron). Non-metals have high ionization energy thus
gain electrons because of increased nuclear charge.

Ionization energy decreases as you move down a group.

 Atomic radius increases down a group and electrons are further from the
nucleus thus easier to remove the outermost electron.
 Shielding – inner electrons at lower energy levels essentially block the full
nuclear charge. It is therefore becomes easier to remove an outer
electron.

8. Describe the nuclear model of an atom. How does this model explain the results of
alpha particles scattering from metal foils? (10 marks).

9. (a) What is an orbital? Draw representations of the atomic orbitals Px, dxy, dz2 and
dx2y2 (10 marks).
b).Write the electronic configurations for the following elements Cl, Cu, Ag and Pd
(4marks).

c).Bohr’s atomic theory lasted for twelve years and was eventually replaced in 1926 by
Schrodinger’s wave theory for the hydrogen atom. Give three reasons as to why Bohr’s
theory was inadequate? (3 marks).

d). For the element oxygen (O),Write its full electronic configuration in terms of s and p
orbitals and give the address of three (3) electrons in the three 2p Orbitals of O in terms
of n, l, ml, and ms ( 5 marks).