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Atomic Structure

NIOS · Class 10 · Science & Tech

Quick revision notes for Atomic Structure — NIOS Class 10 Science & Tech. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

42 questions20 flashcards5 concepts

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A labeled diagram of Rutherford's gold foil experiment, showing alpha particles emitted from a source, passing through a lead plate, striking a thin gold foil, and being detected by a fluorescent scre
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Key Topics to Revise

1

Discovery of Subatomic Particles

  • Dalton's atomic theory (1803) considered atoms as indivisible, but later experiments proved atoms contain smaller particles
  • J.J. Thomson discovered electrons through cathode ray tube experiments (1897)
  • Cathode rays are streams of negatively charged particles (electrons) that travel from cathode to anode
2

Atomic Models

  • Thomson's Plum Pudding Model: Atom as positive sphere with embedded electrons like plums in pudding
  • Rutherford's α-particle scattering experiment (1910) by Geiger and Marsden
  • Observations: Most α-particles passed through, some deflected at small angles, few at large angles, very few rebounded
3

Electronic Configuration and Valency

  • Electronic configuration: Distribution of electrons in different shells (K,L,M,N or 1,2,3,4)
  • Bohr-Bury rules: Shells filled in order of increasing energy, inner shells filled first
  • Maximum electron capacity: K=2, L=8, M=18, N=32 (using 2n² formula)
4

Atomic Number and Mass Number

  • Atomic number (Z): Number of protons in nucleus, unique for each element
  • Mass number (A): Total number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) in nucleus
  • Neutral atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons

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Full Notes

Key Concepts

JEugen Goldstein discovered protons in 1886Thomson proposed that an atom consistsGeiger and MarsdenBohr proposed that electrons move

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Atomic Structure for NIOS Class 10 Science & Tech?
Atomic Structure covers several key topics that are frequently asked in NIOS Class 10 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in Atomic Structure — NIOS Class 10 Science & Tech?
Start by understanding all key concepts. Practise previous year questions from this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly. Use flashcards for quick revision before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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