Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure Flashcards
define electromagnetic radiation (= electromagnetic energy or radiant energy)
energy propagated by perpendicular electric and magnetic fields that increase and decrease in intensity as they move through space as waves.
define wavelength ( λ)
distance between identical points on adjacent waves, such as from the crest/trough of one wave to the crest/trough of the next
what are the units for wavelength?
usually metres or nanometers, nm= 10^-9 metres or pico metres pm=10^-12
define frequency
the number of complete waves per second that pass through a given point
what are the units for frequency?
s^-1 = 1Hz
define the speed of a wave
the distance it moves per unit time (m/s)
state the equation relating, frequency, wavelength, and speed of light
v λ = c
state the 7 parts of the electromagnetic spectrum
highest frequency:
gamma rays
x rays
ultraviolet
visible
infrared
microwave
radio waves
define the amplitude
the height of the crest of the wave or the depth of the trough
for an electromagnetic wave, the amplitude is related to the
intensity of the radiation, or its brightness in the case of visible light
dimmer light
lower amplitude, less intense
brighter light
higher amplitude, more intense
what is the similarity between all electromagnetic waves?
they travel at the same speed through a vacuum
state the 2 distinctions between energy and matter
- refraction and dispersion
- diffraction and interference
refraction
- when a light wave passes from one medium into another at an angle other, the speed of the wave changes
- if the wave strikes the boundary between media at an angle other than 90, the change in speed causes a change in direction, and the wave continues at a different angle
dispersion
white light separates (disperses) into its component colours when it passes through a prism or another reframing object because each incoming wave is refracted at a slightly different angle
how does a particle of matter contrast to a wave of light in terms of refraction?
particle of matter does not undergo refraction, it just slows down gradually along a curved path (after entering water)
diffraction (inc diagram)
when a wave strikes the edge of an object and bends around it. if the wave passes through a slit as wide as its wavelength, it bends around both edges of the slit and forms a semi-circular wave on the other side of the opening
p294
how does a particle of matter contrast to a wave of light in terms of diffraction?
when you throw a collection of particles at a small opening, only some go through the opening.
interference (inc diagram)
when waves of light pass through two adjacent slits, the nearby emerging circular waves interact through the process of interference to form a diffraction pattern (p295)
describe the two possible outcomes for a diffraction pattern
- in phase: if the crests of the waves coincide, the interfere constructively - the amplitudes add together to form a brighter region in the diffraction pattern
- out of phase: if crests coincide with troughs, the interfere destructively - the amplitudes cancel to form a darker region
how does a particle of matter contrast to a wave of light in terms of interference ?
particles passing through adjacent openings continue straight paths, some colliding and moving at different angles
what did scientists observe that caused them to question their view of energy?
- blackbody radiation -> quantum theory of energy
- the photoelectric effect -> photon theory of light
explain blackbody radiation
- when an object is heated, it emits radiation of various wavelengths, including visible light
- the light of maximum intensity that is emitted shifts to shorter wavelengths as the temperature increases (red by cooler, blue by hotter)
why was the blackbody radiation observed confusing?
the classical wave model could not explain the relationship between the energy given off by a hot object and the wavelength of the energy emitted
define a blackbody
an idealised object that absorbs all the radiation incident on it, eg a hollow cube with a small hole in one wall approximates one.
what did Planck theorise?
- an atom changes its energy state by emitting/absorbing one or more quanta (energy packet of fixed quantity)
- the energy of the emitted/absorbed radiation is equal to the difference in the atom’s energy states.
planck’s equation and explain a more popular alternative
ΔE = E(emitted/absorbed radiation) = Δnhv
atoms can change energy only by integer multiples of hv, so the smallest energy change occurs when Δn=1:
ΔE = hv
or ΔE = hc/λ
h
Planc’s constant
v
frequency of radiation
E
energy of radiation
energy is directly proportional to ——- and indirectly proportional to ——–
frequency; wavelength
describe the photoelectric effect
when monochromatic light of sufficient frequency shines on a metal plate, a current flows (p297)
two confusing features that led scientists to the idea of the photoelectric effect
presence of a threshold frequency:
- wave theory associates the energy of light with its amplitude (intensity) not frequency (color)
- it thus predicts that an electron would break free when it absorbed enough energy from light of any color
- for current to flow, the light shining on the metal must have a minimum frequency (diff metals = diff frequencies)
absence of a time lag:
- wave theory predicts that with dim light there would be a time lag before the current flows as the electrons would have to absorb enough energy to break free
- current flows the moment light of the min frequency shines on the metal, regardless of the light’s intensity
describe photon theory
Einstein proposed that light is particulate, quantised into photons - tiny bundles of energy.
E(photon) = hv = ΔE(atom)
how does photon theory explain the two features of the photoelectric effect?
threshold frequency:
- the intensity (brightness) of a beam of light is related to the number of photons, but not to the energy of each.
- a photon of a certain minimum energy must be absorbed to free an electron from the surface
absence of time lag:
- an electron breaks free when it absorbs a photon of enough energy
- current is weak in dim light cos fewer photons of enough energy can free fewer electrons per unit time, but some current flows as soon as light of sufficient energy/freq strikes the metal
above the minimum frequency of light, the kinetic energy of the ejected electron increases with….
light frequency
increased light intensity increases …… but not…
the number of ejected electrons; their kinetic energy
describe how the emission of light from atoms was confusing for scientists
the passage of electricity through gas of atoms causes atoms to emit light.
- scientists expected to observe continuous light (of all wavelengths)
- instead, they only observed discrete frequencies in the visible part of the spectrum
give a roadmap of new ideas of light and matter, from before 1900 to after
before 1900:
light: wave character - eg wavelength, frequency, diffraction
matter: particulate character - eg mass, position
experiments:
- photoelectric effect
- diffraction by electrons
- atomic line spectra
wave-particle duality:
light: both wave and particulate character
matter: both particulate and wave character
describe the Schrodinger model of the atom
H^ψ = Eψ (wave equation)
- has many solutions psi
what does ψ psi mean?
‘wavefunction’ or ‘orbital’
= a mathematical function describing the shape of a wave