Atomic Structure and Periodic Trends

Test Objectives

• Know the electromagnetic spectrum represents the different categories of

radiant energy. Know these categories and the relative energies,
wavelengths, and frequencies of each category.
• Qualitatively and Quantitatively relate energy, wavelength, frequency and
speed of electromagnetic radiation.
• Understand what it means when we say that energy is “quantized.”
• Use quantum theory to explain the photoelectric effect and emission
spectrum given by heated atoms.
• Understand the terms “ground state” and “excited state” electrons.
• Be able to calculate the de Broglie wavelength of various moving objects and
qualitatively explain how the wavelength emitted by a moving object relates
to its mass.
• Explain Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and how it relates to our
understanding of the arrangement of electrons in atoms.
• Know that the quantum mechanical model of the atom best represents our
current understanding of atomic structure. You should
know/understand/be able to use the following terms: electron density,
principle quantum number, orbital, electron shell, subshell, degenerate
• Be able write and/or recognize the ground state electron configuration of an
atom in both long hand and abbreviated versions. (Note: knowing
configurations of atoms of elements observed to disobey conventional filling
order is not expected, but why exceptions to conventional filling order is
sometimes observed should be known)
• Be able to diagram the electron configurations of atoms.
• Be able to differentiate between valence electrons and core electrons.
• Know the basic history of the development of the periodic table to elements.
• Know periodic properties: effective nuclear charge, atomic radius, ionization
energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity. Be able to describe how each
of these trends was measured, and how to rank these properties for various
elements.
• Know the periodic trends in metallic character and reactivity