Structure of the Atom and Electromagnetic Radiation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure of the atom, atomic particles, electron shells, properties of electromagnetic radiation, and wave characteristics.

Electron

A fundamental particle of an atom with a negative charge that orbits the nucleus at high speeds within its shell.

Neutron

A fundamental particle of an atom with a neutral charge located in the nucleus.

Proton

A fundamental particle of an atom with a positive charge located in the nucleus.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom made up of protons and neutrons.

Structure of an Atom

The composition of an atom consisting of a central nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons orbiting in shell levels at high speeds.

K Shell

The electron shell closest to the nucleus, which has the highest binding energy and holds electrons tightest to the nucleus.

Electron Shells

Concentric orbits around the nucleus starting with the K shell closest to the nucleus, followed by L, M, N, O, P, and so on.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which also indicates the number of electrons in a stable atom.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Radiation that has no mass and travels at the speed of light ($3 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$ or $186,000\,\text{miles per second}$).

Electromagnetic Spectrum

A classification system used to group different types of electromagnetic radiation, which all share the same velocity but vary in energy, wavelength, and frequency.

Sine Wave

The wave form in which X-rays move.

Wavelength

The distance between two successive crests or troughs of a wave, expressed in units of Angstroms (one ten-billionth of a meter).

Frequency

The number of waves passing a given point per given time, expressed in Hertz.

Amplitude

The height of a wave.

Ionization

The process by which X-rays and gamma rays remove electrons from their orbit during an interaction.

Low-Energy Wave

A wave characterized by increased (longer) wavelength and decreased (lower) frequency.

High-Energy Wave

A wave characterized by decreased (shorter) wavelength and increased (higher) frequency.