Electromagnetic Spectrum and Atomic Structure: Definitions and Terms, Quizzes of Mathematics

Download Electromagnetic Spectrum and Atomic Structure: Definitions and Terms and more Quizzes Mathematics in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 electromagnetic spectrum DEFINITION 1 The complete spectrum of light, including radio waves, infrared visible light, ultraviolet light, X rays, and gamma rays. TERM 2 visible light DEFINITION 2 The light our eyes can see, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nm. TERM 3 electromagnetic radiation DEFINITION 3 Another name for light of all types, from radio waves through gamma rays. TERM 4 wavelength DEFINITION 4 The distance between adjacent peaks (or troughs) of a wave. TERM 5 frequency DEFINITION 5 Describes the rate at which peaks of a wave pass by a point; measured in units of 1/s, often called cycles per second or hertz. TERM 6 electromagnetic wave DEFINITION 6 A synonym for light, which consists of waves of electric and magnetic fields. TERM 7 speed of light DEFINITION 7 The speed at which light travels, which is about 300,000 km/s. TERM 8 infrared DEFINITION 8 Light with wavelengths that fall in the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between radio waves and visible light. TERM 9 radio waves DEFINITION 9 Light with very long wavelengths (and hence low frequencies)-longer than those of infrared light. TERM 10 microwaves DEFINITION 10 Light with wavelengths in the range of micrometers to millimeters. Microwaves are generally considered to be a subset of the radio wave portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. TERM 21 atomic number DEFINITION 21 The number of protons in an atom. TERM 22 atomic mass number DEFINITION 22 The combined number of protons and neutrons in a atom. TERM 23 isotopes DEFINITION 23 Each different isotope of an element has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. TERM 24 molecules DEFINITION 24 Technically the smallest unit of a chemical element or compound; in this text, the term refers only to combinations of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. TERM 25 emission DEFINITION 25 The process by which matter emits energy in the form of light. TERM 26 absorption DEFINITION 26 The process by which matter absorbs radiative energy. TERM 27 transmission DEFINITION 27 The process in which light passes through matter without being absorbed. TERM 28 reflection/scattering DEFINITION 28 The process by which matter changes the direction of light.