Symbols & Equations
λ
wavelength
all of the colors in a rainbow
visible light
studied the emission of light by hot objects
Max Planck
the minimum quantity of energy that can be lost or gained by an atom
quantum
a series of specific wavelengths of emitted light created when the visible portion of light from excited atoms is shined through a prism
line-emission spectrum
Hz
hertz/frequency
used in medical exams
X rays
introduced the radical idea that electromagnetic radiation has a dual-wave nature
Albert Einstein
the emission of electrons from a metal when light shines on the metal
photoelectric effect
state in which an atom has a higher potential energy than it has in its ground state
excited state
c = λv
electromagnetic radiation
comes directly from the sun
ultraviolet radiation
One wave/second unit named after him
Heinrich Hertz
h = 6.626 x 10-34 J * s
Planck's constant
lowest energy state of an atom
ground state
E = hv
relationship between a quantum of energy and the frequency of radiation
used to heat food and drink
microwave
proposed a model of the hydrogen atom that linked the atom's electron with photon emission
Niels Bohr
a particle of electromagnetic radiation having zero mass and carrying a quantum of energy
photon
the emission of a continuous range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
continuous spectrum
v
frequency of radiation emitted
used when you are listening to music in your car
radio waves
Bohr's atomic model was an improvement over this person's model
Rutherford
Ephoton = hv
energy of a photon
Lyman, Balmer, and Paschen
discovered wavelengths of emitted light