Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Atomic Structure Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), electron energy levels, Coulomb's law, and periodic trends based on the lecture notes.

Core Electrons

The electrons closest to the nucleus at lower energy levels that require a high amount of energy to remove due to strong Coulombic attraction.

Valence Electrons

The electrons located at the highest energy level (outermost shell) that require less energy to remove compared to core electrons.

PES Graph

A Photoelectron Spectroscopy spectrum displaying the relative number of electrons on the y-axis and the energy required to remove electrons (measured in $\text{MJ}$ or $\text{eV}$) on the x-axis.

Coulomb's Law

A rule stating that the attraction between oppositely charged particles increases as distance decreases or charge increases, explaining why electrons closer to protons require more energy to eject.

Ground State

The default electronic state of an atom where electrons follow the standard orbital filling sequence without absorbing excess energy.

UV Radiation and X-ray Radiation

The specific electromagnetic energy waves selected for photoelectron spectroscopy because they provide the exact energy required to analyze orbital electrons without destroying the atom.

Atomic Radii Trend Across a Period

The pattern where atomic size decreases from left to right within a period due to an increased nuclear proton count exerting a stronger Coulombic force on electrons in the same energy level.