Energy Wavelength and Frequency Flashcards

Lyman series

Ultraviolet series of spectral lines in hydrogen's emission spectrum.

Balmer series

Visible series of spectral lines in hydrogen's emission spectrum.

Psdchan series

Infrared series of spectral lines in hydrogen's emission spectrum.

Bohr model limitation

Only accurate for hydrogen and does not consider electron-electron repulsion.

Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS)

Encompasses all types of electromagnetic energy, from gamma rays to radio waves.

Wavelength (λ)

Distance from peak to peak of a wave, measured in meters (m) or nanometers (nm).

Frequency (ν)

How often waves oscillate, measured in hertz (Hz) or s⁻¹.

Speed of light (c)

3.00 × 10⁸ m/s, the speed at which electromagnetic waves propagate.

Energy (E)

Energy calculated using E=hv, where h is Planck’s constant.

Planck’s constant (h)

6.63×10⁻³⁴ J×s

Kilohertz (KHz)

Equivalent to 1 \times 10^3 Hz.

Megahertz (MHz)

Equivalent to 1 \times 10^6 Hz.

Gigahertz (GHz)

Equivalent to 1 \times 10^9 Hz.

Terahertz (THz)

Equivalent to 1 \times 10^{12} Hz.

Nanometers (nm)

Equivalent to 1 \times 10^{-9} m, a unit of length commonly used to measure wavelengths of light.

Ultraviolet Catastrophe

Classical physics incorrectly predicted black bodies would emit infinite energy at short (UV) wavelengths, known as the Ultraviolet Catastrophe.

• Planck resolved this by proposing that energy is emitted and absorbed in discrete packets (quanta).

Photon

The name of a particle that carries quantum of energy.