word | definition |
uncertainty principle | principle that states that either the position or the momentum of a moving particle can be measured and known exactly, but that both measurements cannot be known at the same time |
sublevel | division of a principle energy level in an atom |
quantum-mechanical model | model that explains the properties of atoms by treating the electron as a wave and by quantizing its energy |
quantum number | number assigned to each orbit of an electron in an atom |
orbital diagram | representation of an atom in which arrows in boxes are used to show the electron configuration of an atom |
electron density | concentration of electrons in an electron cloud of an atom |
ground state | lowest energy level of electrons in an atom |
wavelength | distance between two successively similar points on a wave |
photoelectric effect | phenomenon in which light can be used to knock electrons out of metal; can be explained only in terms of the particle nature of radiant energy |
excited state | energy level attained by an electron that absorbs additional energy and jumps from its normal level to a higher energy level |
orbital | term used to describe the probability of finding electrons in certain regions of an atom |
electromagnetic radiation | form of energy consisting of waves made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields at right angles to each other |
speed of light | speed at which light waves travel; equal to 3.00 x 10 the 8th power meters per second in a vacuum |
frequency | number of waves that pass a certain point in a given amount of time |
visible spectrum | portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen with the un-aided eye |
planks constant | constant value used to relate the frequency of an electromagnetic wave to its energy |
quantum | discrete bit of energy; smallest unit of energy that can be absorbed or emitted |
amplitude | height of a wave measured from its origin to its crest |
line spectrum | spectrum that contains only certain wave-lengths |
electron configuration | distribution of electrons among the orbitals of an atom |
photon | quantum of electromagnetic energy |
matter wave | term used to describe the wavelike behavior of particles |
principle energy levels | one of a limited number of energy levels in an atom |