Atomic Physics Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Atomic Physics lecture notes.

Atom

The basic building block of matter, consisting of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom; the number of protons determines the atomic number of an element.

Neutron

A neutral (uncharged) subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom; contributes to the mass of the atom and influences isotope characteristics.

Atomic Number (Z)

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Atomic Mass Number (A)

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom (A = Z + N).

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons (same Z number) but different numbers of neutrons (different N number), affecting their mass and nuclear stability.

Elementary Charge (e)

The fundamental unit of electric charge, equal to 1.602 × 10−19 C.

Atomic Mass Unit (amu)

A unit of mass used to express the mass of atoms and molecules, equal to 1.67 × 10−27 kg.

Bohr's Atomic Model

A model of the atom in which electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed paths or shells, each corresponding to a specific energy level.

Atomic Spectra

The pattern of frequencies or wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed by atoms; corresponds to different photon energies and energy levels.

Electron Volt (eV)

A unit of energy commonly used in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics; the kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron moving through an electric potential difference of one volt.

Ground State Energy

The lowest energy level of an electron in an atom (for Hydrogen, E0 = -13.6 eV).