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Atomic Structure 3

This is a copy of the Atomium monument in Brussels, Belgium, which forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Atomic Structure 3

Discover how electrons sit in energy levels and move between them. This GCSE Chemistry quiz helps you explain spectra, absorption, and why atoms release energy in packets.

Explore the Topic →
(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Niels Bohr suggested that electrons are in fixed shells at set energy levels. This model helps explain why atoms emit or absorb energy as specific amounts.

In GCSE Chemistry, models of the atom help you explain what experiments show, such as line spectra. You will learn that electrons can move between energy levels, and the energy change links to particular colours of light.

Key Terms

  • Energy level: A fixed amount of energy an electron can have in an atom, often shown as shells.
  • Electron transition: When an electron moves to a higher or lower energy level by gaining or releasing energy.
  • Line spectrum: A pattern of separate coloured lines that shows only certain wavelengths of light are emitted or absorbed.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the Bohr model in GCSE Chemistry?

The Bohr model says electrons are found in fixed shells, also called energy levels, around the nucleus. Electrons can move between levels, but they cannot exist in between them.

Why do atoms give out specific colours of light?

Atoms give out specific colours because electrons drop to lower energy levels and release energy as light. The energy released matches a particular wavelength, so only certain colours appear.

What is the difference between emission and absorption spectra?

An emission spectrum shows bright coloured lines produced when electrons fall to lower energy levels. An absorption spectrum shows dark lines where electrons have absorbed specific wavelengths to move up levels.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
An atom contains 9 electrons. How many neutrons are there in the nucleus of this atom?
10
9
19
11
Fluorine has 9 electrons around the nucleus. The question tells you it is an atom not an ion so it must have 9 protons and therefore the atomic number of 9. From the Periodic Table, the mass number of fluorine is 19 so 19 - 9 = 10 neutrons
2 .
An atom has 7 electrons - 2 in its inner shell and 5 in its outer shell. What group of the periodic table is this element found in?
2
3
4
5
There are different ways of numbering the groups of the periodic table. Most UK exam boards still follow the convention that the number of electrons in the outer shell = number of group. If you study chemistry to higher levels, you will find that this is no longer the case other than for groups 1 and 2.
3 .
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a nitride 3- ion?
5
3
8
7
A nitrogen atom has 5 electrons in its outer shell. A nitride 3- ion must therefore have 8
4 .
Which element has 2 electrons, 2 neutrons and 2 protons?
Fluorine
Sodium
Helium
Neon
There are two protons in the nucleus so it has the atomic number of 2. When you look that up on the Periodic Table, you find that it corresponds to helium. The first shell is complete which is why helium is an unreactive gas
5 .
How many electrons are in the first shell of a hydrogen atom?
1
2
3
4
Hydrogen is the simplest element with one proton and one electron
6 .
An atom has 2 electrons, 2 neutrons and 2 protons. What is the atomic number of this atom?
6
1
2
4
The atom is helium. The number of protons is equal to the atomic number
7 .
An atom of which element has 11 electrons?
Potassium
Sodium
Magnesium
Neon
The question specifically tells you that the element is an atom and not an ion, so it must be sodium
8 .
A fluorine atom has 9 electrons - 7 in its outer shell and 2 in its inner shell. How many electrons would be in the outer shell if it were to become a fluoride ion?
2
4
6
8
Fluorine gains one electron to become a fluoride ion. It then has 10 electrons but only 9 protons, so overall, the fluoride ion has a charge of -1
9 .
An element has 2 electrons in its inner shell, 8 in its next shell and 1 in its outer shell. What type of ion would it form?
1-
1+
2+
3-
This atom will lose an electron to form a 1+ ion
10 .
How many electrons are in the first shell of a carbon atom?
1
2
4
6
Whatever the element, the first shell can ONLY ever contain 2 electrons maximum
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Atomic structure

Author:  Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)
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