Cheat sheet · Class 11 · CBSE · Science Chemistry

Structure of Atom cheat sheet

The whole chapter on one page: key formulas, facts and the points to remember, for quick revision before a test.

CBSE Class 11 · Chemistry

Cheat sheet

Chapter 2Structure of Atom

Aufbau, Pauli, Hund — fill low energy first, two opposite spins, singly before pairing.

1. Discoveries

ParticleDiscovered byCharge
ElectronJ.J. Thomson (cathode rays)−1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
ProtonGoldstein (canal rays)+1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
NeutronChadwick0

Rutherford's α-scattering: tiny dense positive nucleus.

2. Bohr Model (H-like)

En=−2.18×10−18Z2n2E_n = -2.18\times10^{-18}\dfrac{Z^2}{n^2} J
rn=52.9n2Zr_n = 52.9\dfrac{n^2}{Z} pm

Spectral lines: 1λ=RHZ2(1n12−1n22)\dfrac{1}{\lambda} = R_H Z^2\left(\dfrac{1}{n_1^2} - \dfrac{1}{n_2^2}\right), RH=109 677 cm−1R_H = 109\,677\ \text{cm}^{-1}.

Lyman (n₁=1, UV), Balmer (2, visible), Paschen (3), Brackett (4), Pfund (5).

3. Quantum Ideas

E=hνE = h\nuλ=hmv\lambda = \dfrac{h}{mv} (de Broglie)Δx⋅Δp≥h4π\Delta x\cdot\Delta p \ge \dfrac{h}{4\pi}

Photoelectric effect: electrons are emitted only above threshold frequency; KE = hν − hν₀.

4. Quantum Numbers

NumberValuesTells
n (principal)1, 2, 3…shell, size, energy
l (azimuthal)0 to n − 1subshell shape (s, p, d, f)
mₗ (magnetic)−l to +lorientation
mₛ (spin)+½, −½spin

5. Filling Orbitals

Order (n + l rule): 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p…

Exceptions: Cr = [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s¹, Cu = [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹ — half-filled / filled d is extra stable.

6. Key Points

  • Nodes: radial = n − l − 1, angular = l.
  • Max electrons in a shell = 2n².
  • Isotopes: same Z; isobars: same A.
  • Orbital holds max 2 electrons.

Remember: Bohr energy & radius | 4 quantum numbers | Aufbau, Pauli, Hund

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