Lecture 2: The Bohr Model and Quantum Mechanics

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the Bohr model of the atom, quantum mechanics, and electron configurations.

Bohr Model of the Atom

A model of the atom where electrons exist in defined energy levels, and the energy of photons is quantized.

Quantum Number (n)

An integer representing the principal energy level of electrons in an atom.

Energy Absorption

The process by which an electron moves to a higher energy level, resulting in energy being absorbed.

Emission Spectrum

A spectrum of light produced by elements when they emit photons, characteristic of the element's atomic structure.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

The principle stating that the position and momentum of an electron cannot be simultaneously known with precision.

Quantum Mechanics

The branch of physics that deals with the behavior of very small particles, such as electrons, incorporating wave-particle duality.

de Broglie Wavelength Equation

Equation given by λ = h/p that relates the wavelength (λ) of a particle to its momentum (p).

Quantum Numbers

A set of numbers (n, l, m, ms) that describe the properties of atomic orbitals and the electrons in them.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)

A quantum number that determines the shape of an orbital, with values ranging from 0 up to n-1.

Magnetic Quantum Number (m)

A quantum number that indicates the orientation of an atomic orbital in space, with allowed values between -l and +l.

Electron Spin Quantum Number (ms)

A quantum number that describes the intrinsic spin of an electron, with possible values of +1/2 or -1/2.

Orbital Diagram

A representation of the electron configuration of an atom using boxes for orbitals and arrows for electrons.

Aufbau Principle

The principle that electrons occupy the lowest-energy orbitals available before filling higher-energy orbitals.

Hund's Rule

The rule stating that electrons will fill degenerate orbitals singly with the same spin before pairing up in orbitals.

Degenerate Orbitals

Orbitals that have the same energy level.

Node

A region in an atom where the probability of finding an electron is zero.