NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 8: Journey Inside the Atom
Strengthen your understanding of Class 9 Science Chapter 8: Journey Inside the Atom with chapter-wise NCERT Solutions designed for effective learning and exam preparation. Aligned with the new NCERT Exploration textbook (2026–27) and CBSE guidelines, these expert-created solutions feature step-by-step answers to every in-text and end-of-chapter question, along with important questions for focused practice. Curated by ALLEN Experts, the solutions are available for free PDF download, making revision and offline study convenient anytime, anywhere.
1.0Download NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 8 – Journey Inside the Atom PDF
Class 9 Science Chapter 8: Journey Inside the Atom takes students into the world of atoms, once believed to be indivisible, and reveals how they are made up of smaller subatomic particles — electrons, protons, and neutrons. Students can download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science Chapter 8: Journey Inside the Atom, featuring step-by-step solutions to all textbook questions, prepared according to the latest NCERT syllabus and CBSE-aligned guidelines.
2.0Learning Outcomes - NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Solutions
- Understand the Divisibility of Atoms: Explain why atoms, once thought indivisible, are now known to be made up of subatomic particles.
- Identify Subatomic Particles: Describe the charge, mass, and location of electrons, protons, and neutrons within an atom.
- Trace the Development of Atomic Models: Explain Thomson's plum pudding model, Rutherford's nuclear model, and Bohr's model of energy levels.
- Analyse Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment: Explain the observations of the alpha-particle scattering experiment and how they disproved Thomson's model.
- Understand Bohr's Model of the Atom: Explain why electrons revolve in fixed energy levels without losing energy or falling into the nucleus.
- Determine Electron Distribution in Shells: Apply the 2n² rule to distribute electrons in K, L, M, and N shells for elements up to atomic number 18.
- Define Atomic Number and Mass Number: Differentiate between atomic number (number of protons) and mass number (protons + neutrons).
- Understand Valency: Determine the valency of an element from its electronic configuration and the octet rule.
- Differentiate Isotopes and Isobars: Explain atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers (isotopes) versus different atomic numbers but same mass number (isobars).
- Solve NCERT Exercise Problems: Confidently attempt and solve all in-text activities and end-of-chapter numerical and conceptual questions.
- Build a Foundation for Advanced Topics: Develop conceptual clarity that supports Chapter 9 (Atomic Foundations of Matter) and higher-level chemistry.
3.0Detailed NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Journey Inside the Atom Solutions
1. Are atoms the smallest indivisible particles?
Ans. No. Atoms were once thought to be indivisible (the word atom comes from the Greek atoms, meaning "uncuttable"), but we now know they are made of smaller particles:
- Electrons (negative charge)
- Protons (positive charge)
- Neutrons (no charge)
This understanding developed through experiments by scientists like J. J. Thomson and Ernest Rutherford.
2. Why don't electrons fall into the nucleus?
Ans. According to Bohr, electrons revolve around the nucleus in fixed energy levels (shells). In these stable orbits, they do not lose energy, so they do not fall into the nucleus.
3. Why did scientists keep modifying atomic models?
Ans. Scientists kept modifying atomic models because new experiments kept revealing things older models couldn't explain. Science evolves with evidence.
- Dalton's model: Atoms are solid spheres (too simple).
- Thomson's model: "Plum pudding" with electrons embedded.
- Rutherford's model: Dense nucleus, mostly empty space (based on the Gold Foil Experiment).
- Bohr's model: Electrons in fixed orbits with specific energies.
Each model fixed problems in the previous one but also had limitations, leading to further refinement.
4. Suppose you made up your own 'atom', as Thomson described, using clay for the positive charge and small beads for the electrons spread through it. What will happen if
(i) The positive charge on the clay is lesser than the total negative charge of the beads?
Ans: If the positive charge is less than the total negative charge of the beads (electrons), the model will have an overall negative charge. Therefore, it will not represent a neutral atom.
(ii) By mistake, the clay itself carries a bit of negative charge? Would your model still represent a neutral atom?
Ans: No, the model would not represent a neutral atom. If the clay (which represents the positive sphere) also carries negative charge, then both the clay and the beads would contribute negative charge. The total negative charge would become greater, and there would not be enough positive charge to balance it. Hence, the model would be negatively charged overall.
5. Could an orange or a lemon, which also contain seeds inside soft pulp, be a good comparison? In what ways does it match Thomson's idea and where does it fall short?
Ans. An orange or lemon can be used as a rough comparison to Thomson's atomic model.
Ways in which it matches Thomson's idea:
The soft pulp resembles the positively charged sphere.
- The seeds resemble electrons embedded inside the sphere.
- The fruit has a roughly spherical shape like an atom.
Ways in which it falls short:
- In Thomson's model, electrons are evenly distributed, whereas seeds in an orange or lemon are clustered in sections.
- The pulp of the fruit is not positively charged.
- Therefore, it is only a simple visual comparison and not an exact model of the atom.
6. Why did Thomson conclude that electrons are present in all atoms?
Ans. J. J. Thomson observed that cathode rays were produced irrespective of:
- The material used for the cathode
- The type of gas present in the discharge tube.
Since the same negatively charged particles were obtained in every experiment, he concluded that electrons are common particles present in all atoms.
7. What do you think would happen if α-particles were replaced with negatively charged particles in Rutherford's gold foil experiment?
Ans. If negatively charged particles (such as electrons) were used instead of α-particles, they would be strongly attracted toward the positively charged nucleus. Since electrons are very light, their paths would change easily, and they would not pass straight through the foil like α-particles. Therefore, the results would not clearly show the structure of the atom.
8. Rutherford found that a few α-particles bounced back sharply. How does this single surprising result completely rule out Thomson's 'plum pudding model' of the atom?
Ans. In Thomson's plum pudding model, the positive charge was spread uniformly throughout the atom. If this were true, α particles would pass through with only small deflections.
But Rutherford observed that a few α particles bounced back sharply. This showed that:
- Most of the mass and positive charge of the atom are concentrated in a very small, dense region called the nucleus.
- The positive charge is not spread evenly throughout the atom.
Therefore, Rutherford's observation completely disproved Thomson's plum pudding model.
9. If you could ask Rutherford one question about his work, what would it be?
Ans. "Did you expect any α-particles to bounce back before performing the gold foil experiment, or was it completely surprising to you?"
10. Assertion (A): Rutherford concluded that most of the mass of an atom is concentrated in a small region at the centre called the nucleus.
Reason (R): According to Thomson's model, electrons are embedded in a uniformly distributed positive charge sphere.
Choose the correct option:
(i) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A .
(ii) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(iii) A is true, but R is false.
(iv) A is false, but R is true.
Ans. (ii) Thomson's model does not explain Rutherford's conclusion. Rutherford reached his conclusion from experimental observations, not from Thomson's model.
11. Imagine you are a scientist who has discovered a new element. Name this element after yourself and justify that the symbol you have chosen follows the IUPAC rules.
Ans. Suppose I discovered a new element and named it Anjalium after "Anjali."
Its symbol could be Aj.
This follows the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules because:
- The symbol is made from the letters of the element's name,
- The first letter is written in capital form (A),
- The second letter is written in small form (j),
- and the symbol is unique and easy to identify.
12. What problems could arise if every scientist used different symbols for the same element?
Ans. If different scientists used different symbols for the same element, it would create confusion in science. Some possible problems are:
- Scientists from different countries would not understand each other's work easily.
- Chemical equations and formulas would become confusing.
- Communication and research would become difficult.
- Students would find chemistry harder to learn.
- Mistakes could happen in laboratories and industries.
Therefore, standard symbols are important for clear and universal scientific communication.
13. An atom with an atomic number of 26 has 56 nucleons. Find out its number of electrons, protons and neutrons.
Ans. Atomic number =26
Number of nucleons (mass number) =56
Number of protons = Atomic number =26
Number of electrons =26 (for a neutral atom)
Number of neutrons = Mass number -
Atomic number
56−26=30
- Protons =26
- Electrons =26
- Neutrons =30
14. The nucleus of an atom contains 20 protons. If its mass number is 41 , find the number of neutrons in it.
Ans. Number of protons =20
Mass number = 41
Number of neutrons = Mass number -
Number of protons
41−20=21
Number of neutrons =21
15. An atom has 18 neutrons and an atomic number of 17 . What is its mass number?
Ans. Number of neutrons =18
Atomic number = 17
Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
Since atomic number = number of protons = 17
17+18=35
Mass number =35
16. An atom 23 A has 11 electrons. Find the number of neutrons in it.
Ans. Mass number =23
Number of electrons =11
For a neutral atom:
Number of protons = Number of electrons = 11
Number of neutrons = Mass number -
Number of protons
23−11=12
Number of neutrons =12
17. Identify the number of electrons in the outermost shell of the following elements:
(i) 612C
(ii) 919 F
(iii) 1428Si
Ans. (i) Atomic number =6
Electronic configuration =2,4
Number of electrons in the outermost shell =4
(ii) Atomic number =9
Electronic configuration =2,7
Number of electrons in the outermost shell =7
(iii) Atomic number =14
Electronic configuration =2,8,4
Number of electrons in the outermost shell =4.
18. Write the electronic configuration of the elements having atomic numbers 12, 16 and 18.
Ans. (i) Atomic number 12
Electronic configuration =2,8,2
(ii) Atomic number 16
Electronic configuration =2,8,6
(iii) Atomic number 18
Electronic configuration =2,8,8
19. Solve this riddle:
"I am an atom with a mass number of 23 and 11 protons. I am a soft metal and react vigorously with water. Who am I and how many neutrons do I have?"
Ans. Number of protons = Atomic number =11 Element with atomic number 11 is Sodium.
Number of neutrons = Mass number Atomic number
23−11=12
The element is Sodium and it has 12 neutrons.
20. Two different atoms have 11 protons each, but one has 12 neutrons, and the other has 13 neutrons. How do their atomic numbers and mass numbers compare? Are they the same element or different elements?
Ans. Both atoms have 11 protons, so both have atomic number =11.
Mass number = Protons + Neutrons
For first atom:
11−12=23
For second atom:
11+13=24
Atomic numbers are the same =11
Mass numbers are different = 23 and 24
They are the same element because they have the same atomic number.
They are called isotopes of the same element.
21. If a bromine atom is available in the form of two isotopes, 3579Br(49.7%) and 3581Br(50.3%), calculate the average atomic mass of bromine atom.
Ans. Average atomic mass
[(79×49.7)+(81×50.3)]/100
Calculating:
(3926.3+4074.3)/100=80.006
Average atomic mass of bromine ≈80u
22. Choose the correct options and explain the reason for the correct and incorrect options in the context of Ernest Rutherford's gold foil experiment:
(i) The experiment clearly showed the existence of neutrons in the nucleus.
(ii) The results disproved the plum pudding model and led to the idea of a nucleus at the centre of the atom.
(iii) The large deflection of a few alpha particles indicated that most of the mass of the atom and positive charge are packed into a tiny centre.
(iv) The way alpha particles were deflected showed that electrons move around the nucleus.
Ans. Correct statements:
(ii) The results disproved the plum pudding model and led to the idea of a nucleus at the centre of the atom. This statement is correct. According to Thomson's plum pudding model, positive charge was spread uniformly throughout the atom. However, Rutherford observed that a few alpha particles were deflected through large angles. This proved that positive charge is concentrated in a very small region called the nucleus.
(iii) The large deflection of a few alpha particles indicated that most of the mass of the atom and positive charge are packed into a tiny centre.
This statement is correct. Only a few alpha particles showed large deflection, which indicated that the atom has a small, dense, positively charged centre containing most of the mass. This tiny centre was called the nucleus.
Incorrect statements:
(i) The experiment clearly showed the existence of neutrons in the nucleus. This statement is incorrect. Rutherford's gold foil experiment did not discover neutrons.
It only showed that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged nucleus. Neutrons were discovered later by James Chadwick in 1932.
(iv)The way alpha particles were deflected showed that electrons move around the nucleus.
This statement is incorrect. Rutherford's experiment only provided evidence for the existence of the nucleus and the empty space in the atom. It did not explain the arrangement or movement of electrons around the nucleus. The idea of electrons moving in fixed orbits was later given by Bohr.
23. Which of the following statements are correct or incorrect according to the Bohr's atomic model? Give a reason for each statement.
(i) Electrons lose energy while moving in fixed orbits and slowly fall into the nucleus.
(ii) Electrons can exist anywhere around the nucleus with no fixed energy.
(iii) Electrons revolve around the nucleus in orbits of fixed energy without losing energy.
(iv) Electrons can be found between energy levels as they move around the nucleus.
Ans. (i) Electrons lose energy while moving in fixed orbits and slowly fall into the nucleus.
This statement is incorrect. According to Bohr's model, electrons moving in fixed orbits do not lose energy. Therefore, they do not fall into the nucleus.
(ii) Electrons can exist anywhere around the nucleus with no fixed energy. This statement is incorrect. Bohr proposed that electrons can exist only in certain fixed energy levels or shells around the nucleus. They cannot exist anywhere around the nucleus.
(iii) Electrons revolve around the nucleus in orbits of fixed energy without losing energy.
This statement is correct. This is the main idea of Bohr's model that electrons move in definite circular orbits called stationary orbits. While revolving in these orbits an electrons does not lose energy.
(iv) Electrons can be found between energy levels as they move around the nucleus.
This statement is incorrect. According to Bohr's model, electrons cannot exist between two energy levels. They remain only in fixed energy states. They can jump from one shell to another only by absorbing or releasing a fixed amount of energy.
24. The composition of the nuclei of three atomic species X,Y, and Z are given as follows.
Explain the relation between the following:
(i) Y and Z
(ii) Z and X
Ans. Mass number = Protons + Neutrons
X=18+19=37
Y=17+18=35
Z=17+20=37
(i) Relation between Y and Z
Y and Z have the same number of protons (17). Therefore, they have the same atomic number. But they have different numbers of neutrons and different mass numbers.
Hence, Y and Z are isotopes of the same element because they have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
(ii) Relation between Z and X
Z and X have the same mass number (37). But they have different atomic numbers (17 and 18).
Hence, Z and X are isobars because they have the same mass number but different atomic numbers.
25. What conclusion did Rutherford draw about the position and characteristics of the atom's positively charged part based on the few alpha particles that bounced back or were deflected at large angles in the gold foil experiment?
Ans. From the observation that a few alpha particles were deflected through large angles or bounced back in the gold foil experiment, Rutherford concluded that: The positively charged part of the atom is concentrated in a very small region at the centre of the atom.
This central region is called the nucleus. The nucleus is positively charge, which causes repulsion and deflection of positively charged alpha particles.
The nucleus is extremely small compared to the size of the atom, dense, and contains most of the mass of the atom.
The large deflection of alpha particles indicated that most of the space inside the atom is empty and backward scattering of a few alpha particles indicated that they encountered a very dense and massive region.
Thus, Rutherford proposed the nuclear model of the atom.
26. Explain and arrange the following statements in the correct chronological order to show how atomic models have evolved over time.
(i) Bohr's model proposed that electrons move in fixed orbits around the nucleus, each with a definite energy.
(ii) Thomson's model depicted the atom as a ‘plum pudding’ with electrons embedded in a sphere of positive charge.
(iii) Rutherford's model proposed that atoms have a dense central nucleus.
(iv) Dalton's model described atoms as indivisible particles.
Ans. Correct chronological Order:
(iv) → (ii) → (iii) → (i)
(iv) Dalton's model
Dalton proposed that matter is made up of tiny indivisible particles called atoms.
(ii) Thomson's model
After the discovery of electrons, Thomson suggested the "plum pudding model" in which electrons are embedded in a positively charged sphere.
(iii) Rutherford's model
Rutherford's gold foil experiment showed that the atom has a small, dense, positively charged nucleus at the centre.
(i) Bohr's model
Bohr improved Rutherford's model by proposing that electrons revolve around the nucleus in fixed orbits having definite energy.
27. Electrons move around the nucleus in orbits. Why do they not fly away from the atom? Explain what keeps them attracted to the nucleus.
Ans. Electrons carry a negative charge.
The nucleus contains positively charged protons.
Opposite charges attract each other due to electrostatic force of attraction.
This strong electrostatic force keeps the electrons bound to the nucleus and prevents them from escaping from the atom. According to Bohr's model, electrons move only in fixed energy levels or shells around the nucleus.
28. Assertion (A): The discovery of subatomic particles helped in understanding the atomic structure.
Reason (R): The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in an atom.
Choose the correct option:
(i) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(ii) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(iii) A is true, but R is false.
(iv) A is false, but R is true.
Ans. Assertion (A): "The discovery of subatomic particles helped in understanding the atomic structure."
This statement is true because the discovery of electrons, protons, and neutrons explained the internal structure of atoms.
Reason (R): "The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in an atom."
This statement is also true because atoms are electrically neutral.
However, the reason does not explain why the discovery of subatomic particles helped in understanding atomic structure. Therefore, the correct option is:
(ii) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
29. Magnesium is essential for many biological processes, including muscle contraction. For an atom of magnesium with a mass number of 24 and atomic number 12, determine the number of (i) protons, (ii) neutrons, (iii) electrons, and also illustrate the arrangement of electrons in a magnesium atom.
Ans. Given:
Mass number of magnesium =24
Atomic number of magnesium = 12
Atomic number = Number of protons
In a neutral atom: Number of electrons =
Number of protons
Mass number = Protons + Neutrons
(i) Number of proton=
Atomic number = 12
(ii) Number of neutrons = Mass number
- Protons
=24−12=12
(iii) Number of electrons
For a neutral magnesium atom:
Electrons =12
Arrangement of Electrons in
Magnesium Atom
Total electrons =12
Electrons are arranged in shells as:
Bohr's Distribution
- K shell =2 electrons
- L shell =8 electrons
- M shell = 2 electrons
Electronic configuration of
(a)
magnesium: 2, 8, 2.
30. Find the following information for the elements shown in Figure.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(i) Name of the element
(ii) Symbol
(iii) Total number of electrons
(iv) Number of valence electrons
(v) Valency of the element
(vi) Number of protons
(vii) Atomic numberAns.
- Both Rutherford's and Bohr's models have electrons orbiting the nucleus. Why did Rutherford's model fail to explain atomic stability, while Bohr's model succeeded?
Ans. Rutherford's model could not explain atomic stability because according to it, electrons revolve around the nucleus continuously. A moving charged particle should lose energy in the form of radiation. Therefore, electrons would gradually lose energy, move closer to the nucleus, and finally fall into it. Hence, the atom should collapse, which is not observed.
Bohr solved this problem by proposing that electrons revolve only in certain fixed circular paths called stationary orbits or energy levels.
While moving in these orbits, electrons do not radiate energy. Energy is emitted or absorbed only when an electron jumps from one orbit to another.
Thus, Bohr's model successfully explained the stability of the atom.
32. An atom 70X has 31 electrons. How many neutrons are there in its nucleus?
Ans. Given:
- Mass number of atom X=70
- Number of electrons =31
For a neutral atom:
Number of protons = Number of electrons =31
We know:
Mass number = Protons + Neutrons
70=31 + Neutrons
Neutrons =70−31=39
Therefore, the nucleus contains 39 neutrons.
33. An atom has 79 protons and a mass number of 197. Calculate (i) the number of neutrons, and (ii) the number of electrons.
Ans. Number of protons =79
Mass number =197
(i) Number of neutrons
Neutrons =A−Z=197−79
= 118
Therefore, Number of neutrons = 118
(ii) Number of electrons
For a neutral atom:
Number of electrons = Number of protons =79
Therefore, Number of electrons = 79
34. Complete the Table:
Ans. Atomic number = number of protons In a neutral atom, number of electrons = number of protons
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons
- Aman was discussing the structure of atom with his classmates. During the discussion, he learnt that an element X has a mass number of 35 and contains 18 neutrons. Based on this information, answer the following questions:
(i) How many electrons and protons does element X have?
(ii) What is its atomic number?
(iii) Identify the element X .
(iv) Write its electronic configuration.
(v) How many valence electrons does it have?
(vi) What will be the mass number if two neutrons are added to its nucleus?
(vii) What will be the relation of X with the new atom?
Ans. (i) Number of protons/electrons
Z=A−n
⇒35−18=17
- Protons = 17
- Electrons = 17
Element X has 17 protons and 17 electrons.
(ii) Atomic number = Number of protons
Z=17
Atomic number = 17
(iii) Element with atomic number 17 is Chlorine (Cl).
Element X is Chlorine (Cl).
(iv) Total electrons = 17
Electronic configuration: 2, 8, 7
(v) Valence electrons are the electrons present in the outermost shell.
Outermost shell contains 7 electrons.
Valence electrons = 7
(vi) Original mass number =35
After adding 2 neutrons: 35+2=37
New mass number =37
(vii) The new atom has:
Same atomic number (17)
Different mass number (37)
Atoms of the same element having different mass numbers are called isotopes.
X and the new atom are isotopes of each other with mass numbers ( 17X35 and 17X37 ).
36. In an atom, there are 12 protons and 12 neutrons in the nucleus. Now, imagine that all the electrons are replaced with some hypothetical particles that have the same charge as electrons but are 500 times heavier. What effect will this replacement have on the atom's:
(i) Atomic number
(ii) Atomic mass
(iii) Mass number
(iv) Overall charge
Ans. (i) Atomic number depends only on the number of protons present in the nucleus.
Atomic number = 12
Since protons are unchanged, atomic number remains unchanged.
(ii) Atomic mass depends on the total mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons (or electron-like particles).
Normally, electron mass is negligible, but the new particles replacing electrons are much heavier then ordinary electron, so the total mass of the atom will become greater.
(iii) Mass number is:
Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
=12+12=24
Mass number depends only on nucleons (protons and neutrons), not on electrons.
Therefore, no change (remains 24)
(iv) The hypothetical particles have the same negative charge as electrons and are present in equal number to protons.
(+12)+(−12)=0
So the atom remains electrically neutral.
No change; overall charge remains zero (neutral atom).
4.0Key Topics in NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Journey Inside the Atom
5.0Mind Map / Concept Recap
6.0 Related Study Materials Class 9 Science
Build a strong foundation in Class 9 Science with ALLEN’s study materials based on latest NCERT syllabus. Confidently prepare for school and CBSE examinations with NCERT Solutions, NCERT Textbooks, Revision Notes, Sample Papers and Previous Years’ Question Papers to strengthen your concepts and revise key topics.
7.0 Advantages of Chapter 8 Science Class 9 NCERT Solutions
- Explains Atomic Structure: Helps students understand the basic structure of an atom.
- Strengthens Atomic Models: Simplifies Dalton's and Bohr's atomic models.
- Clarifies Subatomic Particles: Explains the roles of electrons, protons, and neutrons.
- Develops Conceptual Understanding: Helps students relate atomic structure to the properties of matter.
- Simplifies NCERT Questions: Provides step-by-step solutions for atom-related concepts.