Atomic

Structure &
Chemical
Periodicity
Part I

01
Prepared by: Michael Angelo R. Circulado
Electromagnetic Radiation

• All types of electromagnetic radiation consist of energy propagated by electric and

magnetic fields that increase and decrease in intensity as they move, wavelike, through
space.
• A thorough
knowledge of
electromagnetic
radiation is needed to
understand atomic
theory.
Electromagnetic Radiation

• The wave properties of electromagnetic radiation are described by three variables and
one constant:
1. Frequency (ν) - the number of complete waves, or cycles, that pass a given point per
second; unit is s-1 or hertz (Hz)
2. Wavelength (λ) - the distance between any point on a wave and the corresponding
point on the next crest (or trough) of the wave, that is, the distance the wave travels
during one cycle
3. Speed - the distance it moves per unit time (m/s); product of frequency and
wavelength
• In a vacuum, electromagnetic radiation moves at 2.99792458×108 m/s (or 3.00×108 m/s
to 3 sf), a physical constant called the speed of light (c)
• c=ν×λ
• Frequency and wavelength have an inverse relationship: ν↑λ↓ and λ↑ν↓
Electromagnetic Radiation

4. Amplitude - the height of the crest (or depth of the trough); it is related to the
intensity of the radiation
Electromagnetic Radiation

• Sample problem:
• A dental hygienist uses x-rays (λ = 0.50 Å) to take a series of dental radiographs while the
patient listens to a radio station (λ = 325 cm) and looks out the window at the blue sky (λ
= 473 nm). What is the frequency (in s-1) of the electromagnetic radiation from each
source?
Wave Properties of Light

• Matter usually comes in chunks

that can be held, weighed, and
changed in quantity. In contrast,
energy is “massless” and its
quantity can change
continuously.
• Matter also move in specific
paths, whereas radiant energy
(light) travels in diffuse wave.
1. Refraction and dispersion.
Wave Properties of Light

2. Diffraction and interference

Particle Nature of Light: Blackbody Radiation

• When a solid object is heated, it first turns red then glowing orange. Thus, there is a
relationship between the energy given off by a hot object and the wavelength of the
emitted radiation (color).
• This can’t be explained by the classical wave model.

• In 1909, the German physicist Max Planck developed a formula and explained that hot,
glowing object could emit or absorb only certain quantities of energy.
Quantum Theory

E = nhν
• where E = energy of the radiation, ν is the frequency, n is a positive integer (1, 2, 3 and
so on) called a quantum number, and h is Planck’s constant (h = 6.626×10-34 J•s)
• Planck’s conclusion:
• The energy of an atom is quantized: it occurs in fixed quantities. Matter may gain or lose
energy only in specific amounts or energy “packets” called quanta (sg. quantum)
• Quantum - the minimum amount of energy that can be gained or lost by an atom and is
equal to hν
ΔE = hν
�
• And since, c = ν × λ or � =
�
ℎ�
Δ� = ℎν =
�
• This formula indicates that energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely
proportional to wavelength.
Particle Nature of Light: Photoelectric Effect

• Albert Einstein proposed that light (or any type of EMR) is particulate, that is, it exhibits
the same properties exhibited by matter according to Planck’s postulate.
• He proposed that light is quantized into tiny “bundles” of energy, later called photons
(quantum of light).
Ephoton = hν
• Sample problem:
• A student uses a microwave oven to heat a meal. The wavelength of the radiation is 1.20
cm. What is the energy of one photon of this microwave radiation?
Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen

• The Danish physicist Niels Bohr

suggested a model for the H atom
predicting the existence of line
spectra.

• Line spectrum - a series of fine lines at

specific wavelengths (specific
frequencies) separated by black
spaces
Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen

• Postulates of Bohr’s model

1. The H atom has only certain energy levels, which Bohr called stationary states. Each
state is associated with a fixed circular orbit of the electron around the nucleus. The
higher the energy level, the farther the orbit is from the nucleus.
2. The atom does not radiate energy while in one of its stationary states. Even though it
violates principles of classical physics, the atom does not change its energy while the
electron moves within an orbit.
3. The atom changes to another stationary state (another orbit) only by absorbing or
emitting a photon. The energy of the photon (hν) equals the difference in the energies
of the two states: Ephoton = Efinal - Einitial = hν