Unit 3 test vocab

electromagnetic radiation

energy that exhibits wavelike behavior

spectroscope

separates the light emitted by an element using a prism

crest

the highest point of a wave

line spectrum

the “fingerprint” that is produced by an energy level change in an atom

trough

the lowest point of the wave

excited state

higher energy level than the ground state

wavelength

the distance from crest to crest or trough to trough

ground state

state of lowest energy in an atom

photoelectric effect

emission of electrons by certain metal when light is shined on them

amplitude

the distance from the rest position to the top of the wave

photon

an individual quantum of light, particle of radiation

speed of light

3.00 × m/s 10⁸ m/s

lambda

symbol used to represent wavelength

direst relationship

the relationship between frequency and energy

nu

the symbol for frequency

Plancks constant

6.626 × 10^-34Js

reciprocal second

a frequency unit abbreviated, S^-1

quantum

a finite quantity of energy that can be gained or lost by an atom

Hertz

a frequency abbreviated, Hz

inverse relationship

as wavelength increases, frequency decreases

nanometer

one of the units used to measure wavelength