Chemistry: Quantum Theory

sublevels

s-2, spherical; p-6, dumbbell; d-10, double dumbbell; f-14, varying

wavelength

the distance from one peak of one wave to the peak of the next wave

valence electrons

the electrons in the outermost principle energy level

frequency

the number of waves that pass through a given area over a set time

magnetic number

the quantum number that indicates spatial orientation of an orbital around the nucleus

principle number

the quantum number that indicates the main energy level occupied by the electron

orbital or angular number

the quantum number that indicates the shape of the orbital and shows four sublevels

spin number

the quantum number that indicates the spin value of an electron

ground state

the state in which all electrons are at their lowest possible energy level

excited state

the state in which electrons have absorbed energy and "jumped" to a higher energy level

quantum theory

the theory that states that energy comes in bundles or packets called quanta, or photons

electron cloud

the volume of an atom is determined by the size of its ________