Physics of Atoms and Electromagnetic Radiation

Vocabulary flashcards pertaining to the concepts of atom structure and electromagnetic radiation.

Nucleus

The small, dense center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Wavelength

The distance between two successive peaks or troughs in a wave.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Radiant energy that behaves like a wave, traveling at the speed of light.

Frequency (v)

The number of waves or cycles that pass a given point in space per unit time.

Long wavelength

Short frequency

Short wavelength

Long frequency

Formula for Wavelength and Frequency’s Relationship

c = λv

aka (2.9979 × 10^8) = (wavelength) (frequency)

‘c’ is …

The speed of light

2.9979 × 10^8 m/s

‘λ’ is …

Wavelength in meters

‘v’ is …

Frequency in cycles per second

To convert wavelength (nm) to meters

Divide by 10^9 nm

Conversion factor = 1m / 10^9 nm

2 Ways Electromagnetic Radiation Can be Pictured (aka light can be represented as…)

1. Wave

2. Photons (a stream of individual packets of energy)

Relationship Between Energy and Wavelength

They are directly related

How atoms emit protons

1. Start @ ground state

2. Receive energy and become excited/enters a higher state

3. Releases protons

4. Back to ground state

Quantum

Pocket of energy

Photoelectric Effect

The emission of electrons from a metal when light shines on it.

Threshold Frequency

The minimum frequency of light required to emit electrons from a metal surface.

Kinetic Energy (KE) of an Electron

The energy an electron possesses due to its motion.

Planck's Constant (h)

A fundamental constant used in quantum mechanics, given as 6.626 x 10^-34 J·s.

Emission Spectrum

A spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source.

Bohr Model

A model of the atom that describes electrons moving in fixed circular orbits around the nucleus.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

The principle that states the more precisely the position of a particle is known, the less precisely its momentum can be known.

Orbitals

Statistical probability maps that describe the regions where electrons are likely to be found in an atom.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom.

Degenerate Orbitals

Orbitals that have the same energy level.

Quantum Number (n)

A number that describes the energy level of an electron in an atom.

Energy Levels

Quantized states that electrons can occupy in an atom.

Wave Mechanics

The study of the behavior of particles using wave functions to determine their properties.