Atomic Structure + Periodic Properties Vocab

Orbital

mathematically defined area where electrons have the highest probability of existing

Valence Electrons

electrons in outermost shell

Core Electrons

not valence electrons, do not participate in chemical bonding

Representative Elements

reactive elements; inner shells are completely filled, outer shell is incomplete (s or p subshells are incomplete)

Transition Elements

the metals occupying the middle of the periodic table (d and f blocks)

Lanthanide Series

4f elements

Actinide Series

5f elements

Ionization Energy

the energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion

First Ionization Energy

energy required to remove the first valence electron

Second Ionization Energy

energy required to remove the second valence electron

Electron Affinity

how easy it is to gain an electron (negative = easy, positive = difficult)

Atomic Radius

distance from nucleus to the outermost electron orbital

Quantum Number

4 numbers that describe the state of an electron

Ground State

lowest energy state of an electron

Excited State

when an electron temporarily exists in an energy state greater than its ground state

Electromagnetic Radiation

electric and magnetic disturbances, no mass or charge, travels in form of photons

Wavelength

distance between two adjacent crests/ troughs

Frequency

the number of times something occurs in a set period of time

Hertz

unit for 1 per second (sec^-1)