CHEM 7.1-7.2 Light and Electromagnetic Spectrum

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to light and the electromagnetic spectrum as detailed in the lecture notes.

In phase

When waves line up in their cycles, leading to an increase in amplitude.

Out of phase

When waves do not align, canceling each other out.

Noise Cancelling Headsets

Devices that use microphones and speakers to create sound waves that cancel out background noise.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiations, arranged by frequency or wavelength.

Infrared Light

A type of electromagnetic radiation that is not visible but felt as heat.

Microwave

Electromagnetic waves with a wavelength ranging from about one meter to one millimeter, used in microwaves and wireless communication.

Ultraviolet Light

Higher energy light from the sun that can cause sunburn; part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Visible Spectrum

The range of electromagnetic radiation that the human eye can detect, including colors from red to violet.

Photoelectric Effect

The phenomenon where electrons are emitted from a material when it absorbs light of a sufficient energy.

Photon

A particle of light that carries energy.

Planck's Constant

A fundamental constant denoted by 'h', used to calculate the energy of photons.

Black Body Radiation

The thermal radiation emitted by an idealized perfect black body that absorbs all incident radiation.

Quantum Mechanics

The branch of physics relating to the very small, where particles exhibit both wave and particle characteristics.

Emission Lines

Specific wavelengths of light emitted by an element when it returns to lower energy states.

Quantum States

The distinct levels of energy that electrons can occupy in an atom.

Energy Levels

Specific energies that electrons can have within an atom.

Atomic Spectra

The spectrum of wavelengths emitted by an atom when electrons transition between energy levels.

Energy Frequency Relationship

The relationship defined by the formula E = hν, where 'E' is energy, 'h' is Planck's constant, and 'ν' is frequency.

Rydberg Formula

An equation used to determine the wavelength of spectral lines in many chemical elements.