Quantum Theory and the Electronic Structure of Atoms

Energy: Capacity to do work or transfer heat.
- Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion (e.g., thermal energy).
- Potential Energy: Energy due to position or composition (e.g., chemical, electrostatic).
- Electrostatic Energy (E{el}): From charged particle interaction (E{el} \propto \frac{Q1Q2}{d}).
  - Like charges repel (potential energy increases as they get closer).
  - Unlike charges attract (potential energy decreases as they get closer).
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted.

Electron arrangement discovery was influenced by studying light emission by atoms.

Light was historically seen as a wave.
- Wavelength (\lambda): Distance between wave peaks/troughs.
- Frequency (\nu): Number of cycles per second.
- Amplitude: Relates to light intensity.
- Speed of Light (c): All EM waves travel at c = 3.00 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s} in a vacuum (c = \lambda\nu).
Young's Double Slit Experiment: Showed light's wave nature via interference patterns.
Electromagnetic Spectrum: Continuous range of EM radiation, from radio waves (longest \\lambda) to gamma rays (shortest \\lambda).

Classical wave theory failed to explain blackbody radiation.
- Blackbody: An ideal object that absorbs all radiation and emits light based only on its temperature.
- The Blackbody Problem: Classical physics incorrectly predicted infinite energy emission at short wavelengths.