Physics Flashcards
atomic number
number of protons in an atom’s nucleus
atomic mass
sum of mass of protons and neutrons
mass number
sum of protons and neutrons
isotopes
atoms of the same element that have different number of neutrons
nuclear force
force between 2+ parts of the atomic nuclei that is responsible for the binding of protons and neutrons
radioactive decay
occurs when some isotopes are unstable and this reaction releases energy to achieve a more stable nuclear configuration
half-life
time taken for the activity of a given amount of a radioactive substance to decay to half of its initial value
mass spectrometer
separates compounds based on mass-to-charge ratio (mass of the atom/charge)l
orbital
physical space where the electron is likely to be present
n quantum number
energy shell/level of an atom
l quantum number
subshell
ground state
electrons in an atom want to be arranged in a way so that the energy of an atom is as low as possible
photon
source of energy that electrons can absorb the make jump to a higher energy level
atomic emission spectrum
pattern of lines formed when light passes through a prism to separate it into the different frequencies of light it contains
pauli exclusion principle
states that no 2 electrons in an atom can have the same set of 4 quantum numbers
diamagnetism
electrons are paired, total spin = 0, slightly repelled
paramagnetism
electrons is unpaired, orbital has a net spin, slightly attracted to a magnetic field
aufbau principle
illustrates the filling order for atomic orbitals
bohr model
states that electrons encircle the nucleus in orbitals, electrons are not allowed to occupy any of the spaces in between the orbits
bohr model is based on the
wave-particle duality principle
heisenberg uncertainity principle
states that it is impossible to determine both the position and velocity of an electron simultaneously
shielding effect
decrease in the attraction between an electron and the nucleus in any atom with more than 1 electron shell
Zeff (effective nuclear charge)
net positive charge experienced by an electron in an atom
-seen on PT
photoelectric effect
when light strikes materials, it can eject electrons form them
E (photon) = hf