Atomic Structure and Photoelectron Spectroscopy Vocabulary

This set covers essential vocabulary regarding electron configurations, quantum mechanics, and photoelectron spectroscopy as discussed in the lecture.

Orbitals

Specific three-dimensional spaces where electrons are found within an atom.

Quantum numbers

A set of four numbers that define the location and behavior of an electron, including energy level (shell number), subshell (shape), orbital direction, and spin.

S Subshell

A subshell that is circular in shape and can hold a maximum of two electrons.

P Subshell

A subshell that is dumbbell-shaped and can hold a maximum of six electrons.

Aufbau Principle

The rule stating that electrons fill lower energy subshells before moving to higher ones, such as filling the $4s$ subshell before the $3d$ subshell.

Isoelectronic

A term describing species (atoms or ions) that possess the exact same electron configuration.

Paramagnetic

A condition where a species has at least one unpaired electron, making it capable of becoming magnetic.

Diamagnetic

A condition where all electrons in an atom or ion are paired, typically occurring at the end of a subshell block.

Ground State

The lowest possible energy level configuration for the electrons in an atom.

Excited State

A state achieved when energy is added to an atom, causing electrons to jump to a higher subshell or energy level.

Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES)

An experimental technique using high-energy x-rays or UV photons to eject electrons from atoms to provide evidence of their location and energy levels.

Photoelectric Effect

The process of using energy to eject or remove electrons from atoms.

Energy Equation ($E = h \times f$)

The formula used to relate the energy ($E$) of light to its frequency ($f$), where $h$ is Plank's constant.

Coulomb's Law

The law relating the attraction and repulsion between charged particles, used to explain why electrons closer to the nucleus are harder to remove.

Relative number of electrons

Represented on the y-axis of a PES diagram, where the height of a peak indicates how many electrons are ejected at that specific energy level.

Energy (PES X-axis)

The measurement on a PES diagram indicating the amount of energy required to remove electrons; higher energy values correspond to electrons closer to the nucleus.

Nuclear Charge

The total charge of the protons in the nucleus; a higher nuclear charge equates to a stronger attraction for electrons, requiring more energy for their removal.

Orbital Diagram

A visual representation of electrons where electrons are placed in orbitals one by one with the same spin before pairing them with opposite spins.