1. Ch. 7 Atomic and Electronic Structure
Electromagnetic Radiation and Atomic Spectra
1. Electromagnetic Radiation -- Light
wavelength: l (m) frequency: n (Hz = s–1)
ln = c = speed of light = 3.00 x 108 m/s
memorize!
memorize!

2. Wave/Particle Duality
Light was originally viewed as waves, since it displays diffraction and interference properties. But, it also acts like particles, called photons (hn), in some ways.
Electrons were originally viewed as particles, with a finite mass. But they have interference and can diffract, so they have wavelike properties too.
de Broglie wavelength:
l = h/mv
where l = wavelength, h = Planck’s constant
(6.626 x 10–34 J•s), m = mass,
v = velocity
memorize!

3. Radiation and the Atom Energy of electromagnetic radiation
Radiation interacts with matter in discrete “packets” of energy called “quanta” or “photons”
E = hn where h = Planck’s constant = x 10–34 J s
Atomic spectra:
Energetically excited atoms only emit radiation in discrete energies corresponding to the atom’s electronic energy levels.
Bohr model of H atom
Energy levels E = – b/n2
where b = 2.18 x 10–18 J
– Where n is a “quantum number”
with possible values of n = 1,2,3,4,…
– Increasing value of n indicates an
electron “orbit” farther from the nucleus
It is possible to calculate energy differences between levels (i.e. the atomic spectrum) with different n values by using the Rydberg Equation -- see textbook (but don’t memorize!)

4. Sample Questions
Calculate the wavelength of an FM radiowave at MHz.
The energy required to ionize sodium is 496 kJ/mol. What is the minimum frequency of light required to ionize sodium?

5. Electron Probability Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle states
Dx • mDv = h/4p (do not memorize)
where Dx is the uncertainty in the position and Dv is the uncertainty in the velocity, m = mass, h = Planck’s constant
This says that electrons cannot be precisely located and their velocity known at the same time. However, the probability of an electron being in a location can be related to its energy using the
Schrodinger equation:
HY = EY
where H = hamiltonian operator, E = energy, and Y = wavefunction
Solutions to this equation generate the quantum numbers and define the electron orbitals.

6. Electronic Quantum Numbers
Electrons in multi-electron atoms can be classified into a series of:
shells ---> subshells ---> orbitals
Each orbital can be described mathematically by a “wave function” that is characterized by a set of quantum numbers.
1. Principal Quantum Number -- n
Related to energy of shell and to distance from nucleus (size)
Possible values of n = 1, 2, 3, 4, …

7. Electronic Quantum Numbers
2. Secondary Quantum Number -- l
Related to shape of various subshells within a given shell
Possible values of l = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, … n-1
Letter designation: s, p, d, f, g, …
Values of n
Values of l
subshells 1 1s 2
0, 1
2s, 2p 3
0, 1, 2
3s, 3p, 3d

8. Electronic Quantum Numbers
3. Magnetic Quantum Number -- ml
related to spatial orientation of orbitals within a given subshell
possible values of ml = –l, … 0, … +l
the number of ml values = number of orbitals within a subshell
e.g. within a subshell having l = 2, there are 5 orbitals corresponding to the 5 possible values of ml (-2, -1, 0, +1, +2)

9. Electronic Quantum Numbers

10. Sample Questions
For an electron in a 5f atomic orbital, give all possible values of the quantum numbers.
What is the maximum number of orbitals in the 5f subshell?

11. Shapes of Atomic Orbitals
Atomic orbitals are best viewed as “clouds of electron density” and represented as contour plots of the probability of finding the electron.
nodal surface an imaginary point, plane, or spherical surface where the probability of finding the electron is equal to zero
simplified pictures:
s orbitals are spherical shaped

12. Shapes of Atomic Orbitals
p orbitals are “bow tie” shaped and oriented along the coordinate axes y z x px py pz

13. Shapes of Atomic Orbitals
d orbitals have more complex shapes
Orbital Phases –phases alternate just like in 2-D waves; always draw orbitals with “shaded” and “unshaded” lobes. (will be important in bonding)