Glossary 1.2

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

A

Aufbau Principle

the theory that an atom is "built up" by the addition of electrons, which fill orbitals starting at the lowest available energy orbital before filing higher energy orbitals (for example, 1s before 2s)

E

Electron Configuration

the location and number of electrons in the electron energy levels of an atom

Energy-level Diagram (Orbital Diagram)

a diagram that represents the relative energies of the electrons in an atom

F

Ferrormagnetism

the very srong magnetism commonly exhibited by materials that contain nickel, iron, and cobalt; applies to a collection of atoms

H

Hund's Rule

a rule stating that in a particular set of orbitals of the same energy, the lowest energy configuration for an atom is the one with the maximum number of unpaired electrons allowed by the Pauli exclusion principle; unpaired electrons are represented as having parallel spins

P

Paramagnetism

the weak attraction of a substance to a magnetic; applies to individuals atoms

R

Representative Elements

those elements in the main blocks of the periodic table, which are Groups 1 to 18 (the s and p blocks)

T

Transition Metal

an element whose highest-energy electrons are in d orbitals

V

Valence Electron

an electron in the outermost principal quantum level of an atom