Atomic Structure and Electromagnetic Radiation Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice cards reviewing key terms from the lecture on atomic components, electron arrangements, periodic groups, light wave properties, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Nucleus

The center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

Alkali metals

Group 1A elements in the periodic table that tend to form $+1$ charged cations.

Halogens

Group 7A elements in the periodic table that tend to form $-1$ charged anions.

Noble gases

Elements in the periodic table that do not easily form cations or anions.

Electromagnetic radiation

Another term for light, which encompasses both visible light and invisible light.

Quantum mechanical model

A model used to explain the behavior of electrons by dividing the space they occupy into specific regions called orbitals.

Electron configuration

The specific arrangement of electrons into proper orbitals or regions in an atom.

Valence electrons

Certain electrons that have a very significant impact on determining the chemical properties of an atom.

Wavelength

The distance between two closest points where a wave repeats its cycle, such as between two peaks or two valleys; represented by the Greek letter lambda ($\lambda$).

Frequency

The number of wave cycles that pass a certain point in a specific period of time; abbreviated using the Greek letter nu ($\nu$).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A non-invasive medical imaging technique that utilizes radio waves and a strong magnetic field.

Microwave radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with higher energy than radio waves that heats food by causing water molecules to tumble and pass energy to one another.

Infrared radiation

Invisible electromagnetic radiation that is felt as heat, such as the thermal energy emitted by space heaters.

Visible light

The small region of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can see, spanning from lower-energy red light to higher-energy violet light.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Electromagnetic radiation present in solar rays that has higher energy than visible light and can cause damage to human skin.

Gamma rays

The most potent and damaging form of electromagnetic radiation, having a wavelength around $10^{-15}\,\text{m}$ and originating from the decay of radioactive elements.