Chemistry 5

Chapter-9
Electrons in Atoms
Part-1

25 October 2002
Electromagnetic Radiation
What is it and why are we interested?
 Electromagnetic Radiation
ƒ Learn about about electronic structure
of atoms and molecules using
electromagnetic radiation as a probe.
ƒ What are common types of
electromagnetic radiation?
• visible light
• radio waves
• X-rays
• microwaves

ƒ Key features of electromagnetic radiation:

• can be described by propagation of waves, which are the oscillation of electric
and magnetic fields [as wave can transmit energy—think about water waves].
• The regular waves have a period or wavelength, λ, defined by the distance
between two successive peaks.
• The number of peaks (crests) that pass a point per unit time is the frequency,
ν. The S.I. unit for frequency is s-1, hertz, Hz [λ.ν = velocity] .
 Frequency & Wavelength
ƒ The velocity of electromagnetic radiation in vacuum
is constant:
• This constant is called the speed of light, c = 3.00 x 108 m s-1
• With this constant we can relate wavelength and frequency for any
electromagnetic radiation:
c=ν.λ
ƒ Cell phones operate around ca. 1 GHz frequencies;
what is the wavelength of this electromagnetic
radiation?
c=ν.λ
λ = c/ν
= 3.00 x 108 m s-1/1 x 109 s-1
= 0.3 meters
Examples: Wavelength & Frequency
 Electromagnetic Radiation: Interference
ƒ Demonstration: Observations– evidence for wave
properties?
• periodic rings of light and dark contrast
• rings change with separation

ƒ Interference of Waves

constructive interference: waves destructive interference: waves add

add in phase out of phase– cancel.
 Visible Light & Atoms
ƒ Components of ‘white’ light:

• Wavelength:
• Frequency: frequency increasing
Visible light consists of a broad range of colors– corresponding to different wavelengths,
frequencies (& energies); these different colors can probe atoms & molecules!

ƒ Colors of Atomic Species– Implications?

Demonstration:
• Heat elements in flame. This process adds
energy to atoms.
• Different elements show different colors–
emitting different wavelength/frequency light.
• This suggest that the electronic structure of
atoms is discrete or that only distinct (element
dependent) energy are allowed… Li Na K
 Quantum Theory: Photons

ƒ Blackbody radiation:
Classical physics predicts that
intensity of heated body should
increase continuously with
decreasing wavelength– it does not!

ƒ Planck: Energy is Quantized

• Planck made revolutionary
suggestion that energy was discrete
or quantized: ε = nhν
• Planck’s constant:
h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s

ƒ Energy-Frequency Relationship
Planck’s work implies that the energy of a unit– quantum– of
electromagnetic radiation is proportional to frequency:
E = hν
 Photoelectric Effect
ƒ Observations/Key Findings:
• electron emission only occurs when the
frequency of the incident light exceeds a
particular threshold value, νo.
• Above threshold, the kinetic energies of
emitted electrons depends on frequency, and
• the number of electrons emitted depends on
intensity of light.

• These observations
consistent with quantized
nature of light, and
moreover, led Einstein to
propose that light
particle-like concept of
photon.
 Description of Atoms: Bohr

ƒ Key Features of Bohr Atom:

Consider H– 1 electron + 1 proton
• The electron moves in circular orbits about
the nucleus with the motion described by n=4
classical physics.
n=3
• The electron has only a fixed set of
allowed orbits. While in a give orbit, the n=2
energy of an electron is constant. The
discrete orbits are described by an integer n=1
(call principle quantum number, later).
• An electron can only transition from one
e-
allowed orbit to another– this results in
either absorption or emission of energy,
hν, corresponding to the difference in
energy between the initial and final states.

AZ 2
En = −
n2
 Hydrogen Atom: Bohr
ƒ Energy Levels in H
• In the hydrogen atom, Z=1
• From experimental observations can define
constant in Bohr model:

En = -RH/n2, RH = 2.179 x 10-18J

• ground state of H has electron in n =1 level

ƒ Absorption/Emission Energy
• The hydrogen atom can absorb energy to
promote electron to higher energy level or
emit energy if in excited state.
• The difference in energy, ∆E, or transition
energy is
∆E = Ef – Ei = -RH(1/nf2 – 1/ni2) (= hν)
ƒ Ionization
• To completly remove an electron– ionize
the atom– promote to n = ∞ level as final
state.
 Optical Spectra of Hydrogen & Other Atoms
ƒ Demonstration– Observations?

• Hydrogen

• Helium

• Neon

ƒ Limitations of Bohr Model?

From experimental perspective, the Bohr model cannot explain
spectra obtained from atoms with more than 1 electron!