Review of Atomic Structure and Nuclear Physics

Flashcards covering key concepts in atomic structure and nuclear physics based on lecture notes.

Atom

The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles found in atoms, which orbit the nucleus.

Proton

A positively charged particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutral particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Plum Pudding Model

A model of the atom proposed by J.J. Thompson, suggesting that atoms are a sphere of positive charge with negatively charged electrons embedded in it.

Rutherford Model

A model of the atom proposed by Ernest Rutherford, stating that an atom has a small, dense nucleus that contains protons, with electrons orbiting around it.

Alpha Particle

A type of radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium nucleus.

Binding Energy

The energy required to separate nucleons from a nucleus.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Half-life

The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Fission

The process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy.

Fusion

The process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Wave number (ν̅)

The reciprocal of wavelength, expressed in units of m^-1.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons, responsible for most of its mass.

Radioactivity

The spontaneous emission of radiation by unstable nuclei.

Decay constant (λ)

A parameter that represents the probability of decay of a radioactive nucleus per unit time.

Emission Spectrum

A spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source, showing bright lines on a dark background.

Absorption Spectrum

A spectrum obtained when light passes through a gas, resulting in dark lines where specific wavelengths are absorbed.

Centripetal Force

The force required to make an object move in a circular path, which in the case of an electron in orbit is provided by electrostatic attraction to the nucleus.

Quantization of Angular Momentum

The principle that an electron can only occupy certain orbits where its angular momentum is an integral multiple of h/2π.

De Broglie's Wavelength

A concept that relates the wave nature of particles, stating that the wavelength is equal to h/mv, where h is Planck's constant.

Nucleons

Collective term for protons and neutrons in a nucleus.

Energy Level Diagram

A visual representation of the energy levels of electrons in an atom, showing allowed transitions between levels.

Spectral Series

Groups of spectral lines corresponding to electron transitions between specific energy levels in an atom.