Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the quantum-mechanical model of the atom, quantum numbers, and fundamental principles of quantum mechanics.

Quantum Mechanical Model

A model of the atom that incorporates elements of both wave and particle theories to describe the behavior of electrons.

Wave-Particle Duality

The concept that all particles exhibit both wave and particle properties.

Schrodinger Equation

A key equation in quantum mechanics that describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

A fundamental principle that asserts it is impossible to know simultaneously both the exact position and exact momentum of a particle.

Quantum Numbers

Set of values that describe the unique quantum state of an electron in an atom, including the principal quantum number, angular momentum quantum number, magnetic quantum number, and spin quantum number.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

Indicates the energy level of an electron in an atom and can take positive integer values.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)

Determines the shape of the orbital and can take integer values from 0 to n-1.

Magnetic Quantum Number (m_l)

Defines the orientation of the orbital in space and can take on values from -l to +l.

Spin Quantum Number (m_s)

Describes the intrinsic spin of an electron, which can be +1/2 or -1/2.

Aufbau Principle

The principle that electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals first before filling higher energy orbitals.

Hund's Rule

The rule that states that electrons will fill degenerate orbitals singly and with parallel spins to minimize repulsion.

Blackbody Radiation

The theoretical spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ideal blackbody that absorbs all incoming radiation, characterized by a specific distribution of energy among frequencies.

Photoelectric Effect

The emission of electrons from a material when it is exposed to light or electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic Wave

A wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields and propagates through space.

Emission Spectrum

A spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source, which shows the specific wavelengths emitted by atoms or molecules.

Absorption Spectrum

A spectrum obtained when light passes through a medium where certain wavelengths are absorbed, resulting in dark lines on the spectrum.

Coulomb's Law

Describes the force between two charged particles, stating that the force is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Radial Probability Distribution

The probability density of finding an electron in a spherical shell at a certain distance from the nucleus.

Nodes

Regions in an atom where the probability of finding an electron is zero.

Quantum Field Theory

A theoretical framework that combines quantum mechanics and special relativity, treating particles as excitations of underlying fields.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

A principle stating that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers.