Electrons

Energy Levels

Specific regions around the nucleus where electrons can orbit, indicated by quantum numbers.

Ground State

The typical state of an electron when it occupies the lowest available energy level.

Excited State

When an electron absorbs energy and moves to a higher energy level.

Quanta

The amount of energy released or absorbed by an atom when energized.

Atomic Spectrum

The spectrum of wavelengths emitted by an atom as electrons release energy when returning to their ground state.

Sublevels

Different energy states within a main energy level, each with specific shapes and orbitals.

Atomic Orbitals

Regions within a sublevel where there is a high probability of finding electrons.

Aufbau Principle

The principle that electrons fill the lowest energy orbitals first.

Hund's Rule

The rule stating that electrons will occupy empty orbitals before pairing up in orbitals.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

The principle that states two electrons in the same orbital must have opposite spins.

Noble Gas Electron Configuration

A shorthand notation for electron configurations that includes the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas.