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AQA A Level Chemistry

3.1.1
Atomic
Structure

AQA 3.1.1 introduces the structure of the atom, the evidence from mass spectrometry, electron configuration and ionisation energy. This topic links fundamental particles, isotopes, relative atomic mass, time of flight mass spectrometry and the arrangement of electrons in shells, sub-shells and orbitals.

Exam Paper
Paper 1
7405/1
Specification Points
3.1.1.1 – 3.1.1.3
3 core AQA points
Topic Parts
4 parts
Revision notes available
Exam Board
AQA
AQA 7405

Revision Notes

Work through each part of AQA 3.1.1 in a structured sequence.

Particles and isotopes
Atomic
Structure
1
Available

Atomic Structure

Fundamental particles, relative charges and masses, mass number, isotopes and nuclear notation.

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m / z evidence
Mass
Spectrometry
2
Available

Mass Spectrometry

Time of flight mass spectrometry, mass spectra, isotopic abundance, relative atomic mass and molecular ions.

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Shells and sub-shells
Electron
Configuration
3
Available

Electron Configuration

Shells, sub-shells, orbitals, s, p and d notation, and electron configurations up to Z = 36.

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Electron removal
Ionisation
Energy
4
Available

Ionisation Energy

First ionisation energy, factors affecting ionisation energy and successive ionisation energy evidence.

Start revising
Specification Coverage

3.1.1 Atomic Structure – AQA A Level Chemistry

The following specification points reproduce the AQA 3.1.1 Atomic structure content for this topic.

3.1.1.1 Fundamental particles

3.1.1.1
Appreciate that knowledge and understanding of atomic structure has evolved over time.
3.1.1.1
Protons, neutrons and electrons: relative charge and relative mass.
3.1.1.1
An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.

3.1.1.2 Mass number and isotopes

3.1.1.2
Mass number (A) and atomic (proton) number (Z).
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
determine the number of fundamental particles in atoms and ions using mass number, atomic number and charge
2
explain the existence of isotopes.
TOF
The principles of a simple time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, limited to ionisation, acceleration to give all ions constant kinetic energy, ion drift, ion detection, data analysis.
MS
The mass spectrometer gives accurate information about relative isotopic mass and also about the relative abundance of isotopes.
MS
Mass spectrometry can be used to identify elements.
MS
Mass spectrometry can be used to determine relative molecular mass.
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
interpret simple mass spectra of elements
2
calculate relative atomic mass from isotopic abundance, limited to mononuclear ions.

3.1.1.3 Electron configuration

3.1.1.3
Electron configurations of atoms and ions up to Z = 36 in terms of shells and sub-shells (orbitals) s, p and d.
3.1.1.3
Ionisation energies.
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
define first ionisation energy
2
write equations for first and successive ionisation energies
3
explain how first and successive ionisation energies in Period 3 (Na-Ar) and in Group 2 (Be-Ba) give evidence for electron configuration in sub-shells and in shells.
Specification Coverage

3.1.1 Atomic Structure – AQA A Level Chemistry

The following specification points reproduce the AQA 3.1.1 Atomic structure content for this topic.

3.1.1.1 Fundamental particles

3.1.1.1
Appreciate that knowledge and understanding of atomic structure has evolved over time.
3.1.1.1
Protons, neutrons and electrons: relative charge and relative mass.
3.1.1.1
An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.

3.1.1.2 Mass number and isotopes

3.1.1.2
Mass number (A) and atomic (proton) number (Z).
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
determine the number of fundamental particles in atoms and ions using mass number, atomic number and charge
2
explain the existence of isotopes.
TOF
The principles of a simple time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, limited to ionisation, acceleration to give all ions constant kinetic energy, ion drift, ion detection, data analysis.
MS
The mass spectrometer gives accurate information about relative isotopic mass and also about the relative abundance of isotopes.
MS
Mass spectrometry can be used to identify elements.
MS
Mass spectrometry can be used to determine relative molecular mass.
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
interpret simple mass spectra of elements
2
calculate relative atomic mass from isotopic abundance, limited to mononuclear ions.

3.1.1.3 Electron configuration

3.1.1.3
Electron configurations of atoms and ions up to Z = 36 in terms of shells and sub-shells (orbitals) s, p and d.
3.1.1.3
Ionisation energies.
Skills
Students should be able to:
1
define first ionisation energy
2
write equations for first and successive ionisation energies
3
explain how first and successive ionisation energies in Period 3 (Na-Ar) and in Group 2 (Be-Ba) give evidence for electron configuration in sub-shells and in shells.