In the autumn of 1910, Ernst Rutherford, overwhelmedmeditatingly, painfully trying to understand the internal structure of the atom. His experiments on the dispersion of alpha particles by various substances convincingly proved that there is some kind of unexplored, massive body inside an atom. In 1912, Rutherford would call it the atomic nucleus. Thousands of questions flooded the scientist’s head. What is the charge of this unknown body? How many electrons are needed to make it weightier?
В мае 1911-го года Резерфорд публикует статью о the structure of the atom, which is preceded by a very substantial reservation that the stability of the atomic structure probably depends on the subtleties of the internal structure of the atom and the movement of charged particles, which are its important structural component. Thus was born the electron configuration - the nuclear-electron atomic model. This model was destined to play an invaluable role in nuclear physics.
Electronic configuration is orderelectron distribution in atomic orbits. Thanks to the inquisitive mind and perseverance of Ernst Rutherford, who managed to defend his idea, science was enriched with new knowledge, the value of which cannot be overestimated.
The electron configuration of the atom is as follows.In the center of the whole structure there is a nucleus consisting of the number of neutrons and protons different for each substance. What caused the positive charge of the nucleus. Around him in the corresponding concentric orbits move electrons - negatively charged elementary particles. These atomic orbits are also called shells. The outer orbit of an atom is called a valence. And the number of electrons on it is valence.
Each electronic configuration of elementsdiffers in the number of electrons contained in it. For example, the atom of the simplest matter in the Universe — hydrogen — contains only one single electron, an oxygen atom — eight, and the electron configuration of iron has twenty-six electrons.
But crucial in the electronic modelan atom does not have the number of electrons at all, but what keeps them together and forces the entire system to function properly - the nucleus and its composition. It is the core that gives the substance its individual qualities and characteristics. Electrons sometimes leave the atomic model, and then the atom acquires a positive charge (due to the charge of the nucleus). In this case, the substance does not change its properties. But if you change the composition of the nucleus, it will be a completely different substance with different qualities. Make it difficult, but still possible.
Since electronic configuration is impossible withoutits main structural element - the atomic nucleus, it should be given special attention. It is this central element of the atomic model that forms the individual properties and characteristics of any chemical substance. The protons, which, in fact, give the nucleus a positive charge, are 1840 times heavier than any electron. But the proton charge force is equal to the analogous value of any electron. In the state of balance, the number of protons in an atom is equal to the number of electrons. In this case, the core is the carrier of zero charge.
Another important particle of the atomic nucleus is called a neutron. It is this element, which has no charge, made possible a nuclear chain reaction. So it is simply impossible to overestimate the value of the neutron.
