module 2 chem: Quantum Theory and the Hydrogen Atom

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to quantum theory and the hydrogen atom.

Quantization

The concept that certain physical systems can only take on specific discrete values of energy.

Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation

A form of energy that includes visible light and is made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between adjacent maxima in a wave, typically measured in meters.

Frequency (v)

The number of times per second that a wave oscillates, calculated as the inverse of the period (v = 1/T).

Gamma Waves

High-energy electromagnetic waves with very short wavelengths, found at the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Bohr Model

A model of the hydrogen atom that quantizes the electron's orbit, associating discrete energy levels with specific orbits.

Blackbody Radiation

The emission of light from an idealized object that contains all frequencies of light, showing a characteristic spectrum depending on temperature.

Photoelectric Effect

The phenomenon where electrons are ejected from a material when it absorbs light of sufficient frequency.

Planck's Constant (h)

A fundamental constant used to describe the sizes of quanta, valued at approximately 6.626 x 10^-34 J·s.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

A quantum number that determines the energy level and size of an electron orbital.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (ℓ)

A quantum number that determines the shape of an electron orbital and can take values from 0 to n-1.

Magnetic Quantum Number (mℓ)

A quantum number that describes the orientation of an electron orbital in space, taking integer values from -ℓ to +ℓ.

Electron Spin Quantum Number (m_s)

A quantum number that describes the spin orientation of an electron, having values of +1/2 or -1/2.

Schrödinger Equation

A mathematical equation that describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time, fundamental to modern quantum mechanics.

Radial Distribution Function (RDF)

A function that describes the probability of finding an electron within a spherical shell at a distance r from the nucleus.

Nodes

Regions in an orbital where the probability of finding an electron is zero.

Wave-Particle Duality

The concept that particles, such as electrons, exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on the experiment.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

A principle stating that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of an electron precisely at the same time.

Quantum Numbers

A set of numerical values (n, ℓ, mℓ, m_s) that describe various properties of electrons in atoms.