Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Structure

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to quantum mechanics and atomic structure from the notes.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative electric charge.

Excitation

The process of an electron absorbing energy and moving to a higher energy level.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between any two identical points in consecutive cycles of a wave.

Frequency (ν)

The number of oscillations per unit time, measured in hertz (Hz).

Speed of light (c)

The constant speed at which light travels in a vacuum, approximately 3.00 x 10^8 m/s.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, UV, and X-rays.

Continuous Spectrum

Light that contains all wavelengths of visible light, producing a seamless gradient of colors.

Line Spectrum

A spectrum that contains only specific wavelengths corresponding to transitions between fixed energy levels in an atom.

Photoelectric Effect

The emission of electrons from a material when it absorbs light.

Quantum

A discrete amount of energy associated with an electron's transition between energy levels.

Wave-Particle Duality

The concept that light and matter exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

The principle stating that it is impossible to know both the exact position and exact momentum of a particle at the same time.

Bohr Model

A model of the atom proposing that electrons move in fixed orbits around the nucleus, with quantized energy levels.

Schrödinger Equation

A fundamental equation in quantum mechanics that describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes with time.

Quantum Numbers

Sets of numerical values that describe the unique quantum state of an electron in an atom.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

The principle stating that no two electrons can have the same set of four quantum numbers.

Orbital

A mathematical function that describes the probability of finding an electron in a certain region around an atom's nucleus.

1s Orbital

The simplest atomic orbital with spherical symmetry, where an electron is likely to be found near the nucleus.

Energy of a photon of light is _____ proportional to frequency and __________ proportional to wavelength

Directly, inversely

The wavelength of an electron whose velocity is 1.7×10^4 m/s and whose mass is 9.1×10^-28g is ___m.

4.3x*10^-11

The wavelength of a light that has a frequency of 1.20×10^13 is __m

2.50×10^-5

What is the frequency of light that has a wavelength of 3.12×10^-3cm

9.62×10^12

The solutions of shrondingers wave equation provides

Energies and wavefunctions

Determine the energy of an electron in the n=4 level

-1.36×10^-19

If the hydrogen atom has an energy of -1.362×10^-19, the n value is

4

The de broglie wavelength of a ___ will have the shortest wavelength when traveling at 30cm/s

Planet

resulting in the emissions of the highest-energy proton would be

N=6 → n=1, because it has the largest difference

What radiation has the shortest wavelength

Gamma