Chapter 6: Electronic Structure and Periodic Properties of Elements Vocabulary

extent of the displacement caused by a wave

quantum number distinguishing the different shapes of orbitals; it is also a measure of the orbital angular momentum; abbreviated l

mathematical function that describes the behavior of an electron in an atom (also called the wavefunction)

procedure in which the electron configuration of the elements is determined by “building” them in order of atomic numbers, adding one proton to the nucleus and one electron to the proper subshell at a time

idealized perfect absorber of all incident electromagnetic radiation; such bodies emit electromagnetic radiation in characteristic continuous spectra called blackbody radiation

structural model in which an electron moves around the nucleus only in circular orbits, each with a specific allowed radius

electromagnetic radiation given off in an unbroken series of wavelengths (e.g., white light from the sun)

electron in an atom that occupies the orbitals of the inner shells

one-half the distance between the nuclei of two identical atoms when they are joined by a covalent bond

region of space with high electron density that is either four lobed or contains a dumbbell and torus shape; describes orbitals with l = 2 degenerate orbitals orbitals that have the same energy