Atomic Theory and Electromagnetic Radiation

Vocabulary flashcards covering atomic structure, electromagnetic wave characteristics, wave formulas, photon energy, and light spectrum diagrams from Chapter 2.

Electromagnetic Waves

Oscillations of an electromagnetic field that propagate through space at the speed of light.

Speed of Light ($c$)

The speed at which electromagnetic waves propagate in a vacuum, equal to $299\,792\,458\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}$ or approximately $3 \times 10^8\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}$.

Wavelength ($\lambda$)

The distance between two closest equivalent points of a wave, expressed in units of length such as nanometers ($1\,\text{nm} = 10^{-9}\,\text{m}$).

Frequency ($\nu$)

The number of oscillation cycles that occur at a fixed point in one second, expressed in units of $\text{s}^{-1}$ or Hertz ($\text{Hz}$).

Amplitude

The height of a wave measured from its central axis.

Intensity

A wave property equal to the square of its amplitude, where higher amplitude produces brighter light and lower amplitude produces dimmer light.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The complete range of wavelengths and frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.

Visible Spectrum

The narrow region of the electromagnetic spectrum detectable by human eyes, spanning wavelengths from $400\,\text{nm}$ to $750\,\text{nm}$ in a continuum of colors from violet to red.

Photon

A tiny packet of energy making up a beam of light, which can behave as a particle with energy determined by its frequency or wavelength.

Planck Constant ($h$)

A fundamental constant equal to $6.6260696 \times 10^{-34}\,\text{J}\cdot\text{s}$ used to calculate photon energy.

Frequency and Wavelength Formula

The mathematical relationship where frequency ($\nu$) equals speed of light ($c$) divided by wavelength ($\lambda$): $\nu = \frac{c}{\lambda}$.

Photon Energy Equation

The equation relating the energy of a photon ($E$) to its frequency ($\nu$) and wavelength ($\lambda$): $E = h\nu = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$.

Figure 2.1.1 Wave Characteristics

A diagram illustrating wave parameters showing that longer wavelengths have lower frequencies, whereas shorter wavelengths have higher frequencies.

Figure 2.1.2 Wave Amplitude and Intensity

A diagram showing how light intensity depends on wave amplitude, where higher amplitude yields brighter light and lower amplitude yields dimmer light.

Figure 2.1.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum Diagram

A diagram displaying regions of electromagnetic radiation across frequency ($\text{s}^{-1}$) and wavelength ($\text{m}$), highlighting the visible region from $400\,\text{nm}$ to $750\,\text{nm}$.

Bohr Model Energy Levels Diagram

A diagram showing concentric electron energy floors around a nucleus, where transitions to lower floors release energy as photons in the Lyman Series (UV), Balmer Series (visible light), or Paschen Series (heat).