Physics: Waves and Particles

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture on waves, particles, and their effects in physics.

Translucence

The property of allowing light to pass through, but not clear enough to see objects directly through the material.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, resulting from a change in its speed.

Reflection

The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier, allowing us to see images in mirrors.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge and a fundamental constituent of matter.

Photon

A quantum of light or electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy related to the electromagnetic spectrum.

Absorption

The process by which atoms, molecules, or ions capture and absorb photons, raising them to a higher energy state.

Emission

The release of energy in the form of light or radiation, usually after an absorption event.

Energy Levels

Discrete levels of energy that electrons can occupy in an atom, which can be related to their distance from the nucleus.

Half-Life

The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay, a key concept in nuclear chemistry.

Binding Energy

The energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons.

Nuclear Fission

A nuclear reaction in which a large atomic nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing a considerable amount of energy.

Nuclear Fusion

The process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Radioactivity

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

Beta Decay

A type of radioactive decay in which a neutron converts to a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino.

Gamma Decay

The release of high-energy photons from an atomic nucleus, typically following alpha or beta decay.

Lepton

A family of subatomic particles, including electrons and neutrinos, that do not undergo strong interactions.

Planck's Constant (h)

A physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, essential in quantum mechanics.

De Broglie Waves

Matter waves associated with particles, showing that all matter exhibits wave-like properties.

Color Systems

Mechanisms by which colors are created, including additive colors (transmitted) and subtractive colors (reflected).

What is an atom?

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

What are the three subatomic particles of an atom?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is the charge and location of protons?

Protons have a positive charge and are located in the nucleus of the atom.

What is the charge and location of neutrons?

Neutrons have no charge (neutral) and are also located in the nucleus of the atom.

What is the charge and location of electrons?

Electrons have a negative charge and orbit around the nucleus in electron shells.

What is the significance of the atomic number?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom, which determines the element.

What is the significance of the mass number?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

What is the equation for the energy of a photon?

The energy of a photon can be calculated using the equation: E = hf where (E) is energy, (h) is Planck's constant (6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, J \, s), and (f) is the frequency of the light.

What is the photoelectric effect?

The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from a material when light shines on it.

What is the equation related to the photoelectric effect?

The kinetic energy of emitted electrons can be calculated by the equation: KE = hf - \phi where (KE) is kinetic energy, (h) is Planck's constant, (f) is the frequency of incoming light, and (\phi) is the work function of the material.

What is Bohr's model of the atom?

Bohr's model describes the atom as having quantized energy levels, with electrons orbiting the nucleus at specific distances.

What is the equation for the energy levels in Bohr's model for hydrogen?

The energy levels can be calculated using the equation: En = -\frac{13.6 \, eV}{n^2} where (En) is the energy of the nth level and (n) is the principal quantum number.

What is the uncertainty principle?

The uncertainty principle states that the position and momentum of a particle cannot both be precisely determined at the same time.

What is the equation for the uncertainty principle?

The uncertainty principle is expressed as: \Delta x \Delta p \geq \frac{\hbar}{2} where (\Delta x) is the uncertainty in position, (\Delta p) is the uncertainty in momentum, and (\hbar) is the reduced Planck's constant.