Term
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Definition
| The number of protons in the nucleus of a particular atom. The symbol for atomic number is Z, and each element has a unique atomic number. |
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Term
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Definition
| The solutions to arithmetic expressions that express the energy of an electron in the atom. |
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Term
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Definition
| Strictly speaking, a wave function Ψ. It is convenient, however, to think of an orbital in terms of the probability Ψ squared of finding an electron at some point relative to the nucleus, as the volume inside the boundary surface of an atom, or the region in space where the probability of finding an electron is high. |
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Term
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Definition
| The quantum number (n) of an electron that describes its energy level. An electron with n=1 must be an s electron; one with n=2 has s and p states available. |
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Term
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Definition
| The group of orbitals that have the same principal quantum number n. |
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Term
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Definition
| The surface that encloses the region where the probability of finding an electron is high (90-95%) |
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Term
| Spin Quantum Number (spin) |
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Definition
| One of the four quantum numbers that describe an electron. An electron may have either of two different spin quantum numbers, +1/2 or -1/2. |
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