Unit 1 topic A Flashcards
this is the topic that was just physics
what is the electromagnetic spectrum
It is the different types of radiation arranged in order of wavelength
what happens to radiation absorbed or emitted by matter
it behaves like a stream of particles and these particles are known as photons
what does a photon carry
it carries quantized energy proportional to the frequency of radiation
what can electromagnetic radiation be described in terms of
waves and characterised in terms of wavelength or frequency
what happens when energy is transferred to atoms
the electrons within the atoms may be promoted to higher energy levels
when does an atom emit a photon of light energy
when an excited electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level
what provides direct evidence for the existence of discrete energy levels
when the light energy emitted by an atom produces a spectrum that is made up of a series of lines at discrete energy levels
in emission spectroscopy what is used to excite the electrons
high temperatures
in absorption spectroscopy what is directed at an atomised sample
electromagnetic radiation
what happens when a photon is absorbed or emitted within a substance
energy is gained or lost within the substance
what happens in emission spectroscopy when the electrons get excited
electrons drop to lower energy levels and photons are emitted
what is absorbed as electrons are promoted to higher energy levels
Radiation
how is an absorption spectrum produced
by measuring how the intensity of absorbed light varies with wavelength
how can you tell which element is more concentrated in atomic spectroscopy
the intensity of the light emitted or absorbed