Chemistry 142: The Global Impact of Chemistry for Engineering - Greenhouse Effect & Light

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Greenhouse Effect, global warming, the properties of light, and light-matter interactions, as discussed in Chemistry 142 notes for engineering students.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where certain gases in the atmosphere absorb re-radiated light, trapping it and leading to an increase in planetary temperature.

Global Warming

A phenomenon involving the scientific basis of an increasing planetary temperature, related to the Greenhouse Effect, requiring a comprehensive understanding for engineers.

Chemistry for Engineering

Crucial for engineers to understand materials, energy & efficiency, innovation & design, environmental impact, safety & sustainability.

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

A significant greenhouse gas whose atmospheric concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm).

ppm (parts per millions)

A unit of measurement indicating the quantity of carbon dioxide particles in one million parts of air, equivalent to 1 milligram per liter.

Methane (CH4)

A greenhouse gas that is approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, with its atmospheric concentrations measured in parts per billion (ppb).

ppb (parts per billion)

A unit of measurement typically used for atmospheric methane concentrations, indicating the number of methane molecules in one billion gas molecules.

Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)

A form of energy described as a wave composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other.

Wave

A disturbance that transmits energy through a medium.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance from one crest to the next or one trough to the next in a wave.

Frequency (ν)

The number of crests of a wave passing a stationary point of reference per unit of time.

Amplitude

The height of the crest or depth of the trough of a wave.

Speed of Light (c)

A constant in a vacuum, approximately 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s, related to wavelength (λ) and frequency (ν) by the equation c = λν.

Wavelength and Frequency (Relationship)

Inversely proportional for waves traveling at the same speed; shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies.

Young's Double Slit Experiment

An experiment that provides crucial evidence for the wave behavior of light.

Light-Matter Interactions

The process by which matter absorbs and emits light, such as hot objects emitting light in the infrared spectrum.

Photoelectric Effect

The phenomenon of light striking a metal surface and producing an electric current (flow of electrons), serving as evidence for the particle-like behavior of light.

Photon

A quantum, or discrete packet, of electromagnetic radiation, a concept introduced to explain the photoelectric effect.

Wave-Particle Duality

The concept that light possesses properties of both a wave (e.g., wavelength, frequency) and a particle (e.g., photoelectric effect, quantized energy packets).

Quantized States

Discrete energy levels, similar to steps, meaning values are restricted to whole-number multiples of a specific base value.

Unquantized States

Smooth and continuous transitions between energy levels, comparable to a ramp.

Quantum

The smallest discrete quantity of a particular form of energy; radiant energy is said to be 'quantized'.

Planck's Constant (h)

A fundamental physical constant with a value of 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J•s, used in the calculation of a photon's energy (E = hν).

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The entire range of electromagnetic radiation, encompassing various forms such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays, ordered by wavelength or frequency.