Key Concepts: EM Spectrum & Atomic Emission Spectra

Core Definitions

• Electromagnetic Spectrum: The full range of electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays.
• Wavelength (λ): The distance between two consecutive wave peaks; measured in meters or nanometers.
• Frequency (ν): The number of wave cycles per second; measured in hertz (Hz).
• Speed of Light: c = λ × ν = 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s; wavelength and frequency are inversely related.
• Atomic Emission Spectrum: The unique pattern of light frequencies emitted by an element's excited electrons.
• Photon: A particle (quantum) of electromagnetic radiation; energy = hν.