Quantum Theory of the Atom

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the Quantum Theory of the Atom lecture notes.

Wave Nature of Light

Describes light as a wave consisting of oscillations in electric and magnetic fields.

Wavelength (lambda, λ)

Distance between any two identical points on adjacent waves.

Frequency (nu, ν)

The number of wavelengths that pass a fixed point in one unit of time.

Speed of Light (c)

Constant speed of electromagnetic radiation in vacuum, approximately 3.00 x 10^8 m/s.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Range of frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

Photoelectric Effect

Ejection of electrons from a metal surface when light shines on it.

Photon

A particle of electromagnetic energy that carries quantized energy.

Quantum Mechanics

Mathematical description of wave properties of sub microscopic particles.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

Describes the shell in which an electron is located and is associated with energy levels.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)

Defines the shape of the orbital and can range from 0 to n-1.

Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)

Indicates the orientation of the orbital in space.

Spin Quantum Number (ms)

Indicates the orientation of an electron's spin, which can be +1/2 or -1/2.

Continuous Spectrum

A spectrum containing all wavelengths of light.

Line Spectrum

A spectrum that shows only specific wavelengths of light.

Bohr Theory

Explains the stability of the hydrogen atom and its line spectrum through quantized energy levels.

Rydberg Constant (RH)

A physical constant used to describe the wavelengths of spectral lines of hydrogen.