Definitions: Electronic Structure Of Atoms

Question 1

Energy level

Answer 1

A region of definite energy within an atom that electrons can occupy

Question 2

Ground state

Answer 2

Electrons are in their lowest available energy(lowest energy state)

Question 3

Excited state

Answer 3

A higher energy level (state)

Question 4

Balmer series

Answer 4

All lines in the visible region of the hydrogen spectrum (due to electrons dropping from higher energy levels to n=2)

Question 5

Atomic orbital

Answer 5

A region of space around the nucleus of an atom in which an electron is most likely to be found

Question 6

Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Answer 6

It is not possible to determine at the same time the exact position and velocity of an electron

Question 7

Aufbau principle

Answer 7

Electrons will occupy the lowest energy sublevel available

Question 8

Energy sublevel

Answer 8

Subdivision of an energy level containing one or more atomic orbitals,all of which have the same energy

Question 9

Pauli exclusion principle

Answer 9

No more than 2 electrons can occupy an orbital and they will have opposite spin

Question 10

Atomic radius (covalent radius)

Answer 10

Half the distance between the nuclei of two atoms of the same element joined by a single covalent bond

Question 11

First ionisation energy

Answer 11

The minimum energy required to remove the most loosely bound electrons from a neutral gaseous atom in its ground state

Question 12

Second ionisation energy

Answer 12

Energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from a positive ion