Emission Spectrum and Quantum Mechanical Model of Atoms

Emission Spectrum

Light emitted by energized atoms at specific wavelengths.

Spectral Series

Related sequences of wavelengths from electron transitions.

Excited Electron

An electron in a higher energy state.

Energy Orbitals

Regions where electrons are likely found.

Balmer Series

Visible light emissions from hydrogen electron transitions.

Lyman Series

Ultraviolet emissions from hydrogen electron transitions.

Paschen Series

Infrared emissions from hydrogen electron transitions.

Quantum Mechanical Model

Model describing electrons as wave-particle dualities.

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

Cannot precisely know electron position and momentum.

Wave-Particle Duality

Electrons exhibit both wave and particle properties.

De Broglie's Equation

Calculates wavelength of a moving particle.

Planck's Constant

Fundamental constant in quantum mechanics, h = 6.626 x 10^-34.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

Indicates main energy level of an electron.

Secondary Quantum Number (l)

Determines shape of electron orbitals.

Orbital Types

Different shapes of orbitals: s, p, d, f.

1s Orbital

Spherical shape, lowest energy orbital.

2p Orbital

Dumbbell shape, higher energy than s-orbital.

3s Orbital

Spherical shape, higher energy than 2p.

4f Orbital

Most complex shape, highest energy of f-orbitals.

Electron Cloud

Region around nucleus where electrons are likely found.

Energy Level

Specific energy state of an electron in an atom.

Subshells

Divisions within principal energy levels.

Quantum Numbers

Numbers describing distribution of electrons in atoms.

n=1

Lowest energy level, closest to nucleus.

n=2

Second energy level, can have s and p orbitals.

n=3

Third energy level, can have s, p, and d orbitals.

n=4

Fourth energy level, can have s, p, d, and f orbitals.

Electron Transition

Movement of an electron between energy levels.

Wavelength

Distance between successive peaks of a wave.

Energy Emission

Release of energy when electrons drop energy levels.

Infrared Region

Part of electromagnetic spectrum with longer wavelengths.

Ultraviolet Region

Part of electromagnetic spectrum with shorter wavelengths.

Visible Spectrum

Range of light wavelengths visible to the human eye.

Alpha Particle

Helium nucleus emitted during radioactive decay.

Velocity (v)

Speed of an object in a specified direction.

Mass (m)

Amount of matter in an object, measured in kg.

Schrodinger Equation

Mathematical equation describing electron behavior in atoms.

Orbitals

3-D regions where electrons are most likely found.

Energy Shell

Region around nucleus containing electrons at similar energy.