Quantum Mechanical Model
a model that explains how electrons exist in atoms and how those electrons determine the chemical and physical properties of elements.
Wave Particle Duality
a postulate which states that all matter has both components of a wave and a particle. For example, light.
Electromagnetic Radiation
a type of energy embodied in oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
Electric field
a region of space where an electrically charged particle experiences a force.
Magnetic Field
a region of space where a magnetic particle experiences a force.
Amplitude
vertical height of a crest, or depth of a trough.
Wavelength
distance between the adjacent crests, or two analogous points of wave.
Frequency
number of cycles that pass through a stationary point in a given period of time.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Includes all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Gamma Ray
form of electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelength. Produced by the sun, other stars, and certain unstable atomic nuclei on Earth.
Interference
How waves interact with each other with the ability to cancel each other out, or build each other up.
Constructive Interference
The result of 'in phase' waves; when waves with overlapping crests align, the amplitude of the final wave is doubled.
Destructive Interference
the result of 'out of phase' waves; when crest aligns with trough. Ultimately, the waves cancel each other.
Diffraction
The process of a wave bending to pass an obstacle or slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength.
Photoelectric Effect
the observation that many metals emit electrons when light shines upon them.
Threshold Frequency
The minimum frequency required for metal electrons to undergo the photoelectric effect.
Photon
Also a quantum, or a packet of light.
Atomic Spectroscopy
study of electromagnetic radiation absorbed and emitted by atoms.
Emission Spectrum
a series of bright lines of color specific to a certain element when decomposed with a prism.
Absorption Spectrum
the mirror image of the Emission Spectrum; produced when light is passed through a sample of the element and observing the missing wavelengths. Appears as a series of dark lines on a bright canvas.
Complementary Properties
The more you know about one, the less you know about the other.
Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle
States that the more precisely you know an electron's position, the less precisely you know its velocity
Deterministic
means that the present determines the future.
Indeterminacy
The inability to predict the outcome of a process that is done identically each time.
Principal Quantum Number
represented by n, is an integer that determines the overall size and energy of an orbital. Possible values consist of integers equal to or greater than 1.
Angular Momentum Quantum Number
represented by l; determines the shape of an orbital. Values of l are (n-1) integers greater than or equal to 0. The values of each number correspond to the letters s, p, d, and f.
Magnetic Quantum Number
represented by ml; the integer values from -l to +l.
Probability Density
the probability of finding the electron at a point in space.
Radial Distribution Function
represents the total probability of finding the electron within a thin spherical shell at a distance r from the nucleus.
Nodes
areas in an orbital where probability density, radial distribution function and wave function all equal zero. As the principal quantum number's value increases for a specific magnetic quantum number, the amount of nodes that can be found increases.
Phase
The sign of the amplitude of a wave.