Atomic structure Flashcards
What is the charge of a proton?
1.69 x 10⁻¹⁹
What is the charge of an electron?
-1.69 x 10⁻¹⁹
What is an isotope?
Atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons
What is an electron?
neither a wave and a particle
They are just models which describe the behaviour of electrons
How is a wave described?
by wavelength and frequency
c = wavelength x frequency
How is a particle described?
energy only available in discrete small amounts called quanta
E = Planck’s constant x frequency
What is a quanta?
Measurable amount of energy
What does each orbit have?
Fixed radius (r) Quantum number (n) Certain energy which depends on n
The larger the quantum number…
the further away the orbital
What happens when an electron moves down to a lower energy level?
The excess of energy is emitted as a quantum of light
What are the properties of a particle?
Mass Velocity Momentum Kinetic energy charge Magnetic moment
What are the properties of a wave?
Wavelength associated with their movement
What is heisenberg’s uncertainty principle?
it is not possible to determine the position and momentum of an electron at any particular instant in time
What is a wavefunction?
mathematical function used to calculate the shape of atomic orbitals
What is a node?
Point where displacement from centre is zero
Why is energy quantised?
Energy is either on the base, on the first level, second level etc.
What is a boundary condition?
Requirement of a wavefunction to have a certain value at a certain point
What nodes do you not count?
Nodes at infinity
What do quantum numbers describe?
Behaviour, distance and direction from the nucleus
What is wave-particle duality?
Dual nature of having characteristics of both a wave and a particle
