Glossary 1.1

The glossary provides definitions and explanations of key terms and concepts essential to understand the topic in the lesson. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each term before attempting the lesson glossary quiz.

Browse the glossary using this index

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

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A

Atomic Number (Z)

the number of protons in a nucleus

C

Continuous Spectrum

an emission spectrum that contains all the wavelengths in a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum

E

Electron

a negatively charged subatomic particle

Electron Probability Density

the probability of finding an electron at a given location, derived from wave equations and used to determine the shapes of orbitals; also called electron probability distribution

Emission Spectrum

the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by an atom; results when an atom is returned to a lower energy state from a higher energy state

G

Ground State

the lowest energy state for an atom

H

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

the idea that it is impossible to know the exact position and speed of an electron at a given time

I

Isotopes

atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

L

Line Spectrum

an emission spectrum that contains only those wavelengths characterisitc of the element being studied

M

Magnetic Quantum Number

the quantum number that describes the orientation of an atomic orbital in spac relative to the other orbitals in the atom, with whole-number values between \( +l \) and \( -l \), including 0

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