Electromagnetic Radiation
A form of energy that exhibits wavelike behavior as it travels through space
Wavelength (λ)
the shortest distance between equivalent points on a continuous wave
Frequency (v)
The number of waves that pass a given point per second
Amplitude
A wave’s height from the origin to a crest, or from the origin to a trough
Electromagnetic Spectrum (EM Spectrum)
Includes all forms of electromagnetic radiation, with the only differences in the types of radiation being their frequencies and wavelengths
Quantum
The minimum amount of energy that can be gained or lost by an atom
Photoelectric Effect
When electrons (called photoelectrons) are emitted from a metal’s surface when light of a certain frequency or higher, shines on the surface
Photon
A massless particle that carries a quantum of energy
Atomic Emission Spectrum
The set of frequencies of the electromagnetic waves emitted by atoms of the element
Ground State
The lowest acceptable energy state of an atom
Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom
The atomic model in which electrons are treated as waves
Atomic Orbital
A 3D region around the nucleus, which describes the electron’s probable location
Principal Quantum Number (n)
Indicates the relative size and energy of atomic orbitals
Principal Energy Level
Each major energy level
Energy Sublevel
Are part of principal energy levels
Electron Configuration
the arrangement of electrons in an atom
Aufbau Principle
Each electron occupies the lowest energy orbital available
Hund’s Rule
Single electrons with the same spin must occupy each equal-energy orbital before additional electrons with opposite spins can occupy the same orbital
Valence Electron
Electrons in the atom’s outermost orbital
Electron (Lewis) Dot Structure
A model that consists of the element’s symbol surrounded by dots representing all of the atom’s valence electrons