Unit 2: Atomic Structure

Unit Objectives:

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to

1. Describe how atomic models have changed over time as new experimental results (due to Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, & Schrodinger) have led to new theories about the structure of the atom.

2. Calculate the average atomic mass of an element.

3. Determine the number of subatomic particles in an isotope or ion (cation/anion) based on the atomic number, mass number, and charge.

4. Write electron configurations of atoms using orbital, dot, and exponential notation.

5. Explain the structure of the atom based on the modern atomic theory using the terms: principle energy level, sublevels, and orbitals.

6. Explain how the ground and excited states of electrons influence the type of electromagnetic radiation emitted, especially visible light.