Module 6
1. Module 6
1.18. Module Glossary
Module 6—Wave-Particle Duality and Quantum Physics
Module Glossary
blackbody: any object that absorbs all EMR that falls on it and is capable of being a perfect emitter, releasing energy in the form of EMR
blackbody radiation curve: a graph of the intensity of EMR versus wavelength for an object at a given temperature
Compton effect: an increase in wavelength of an X-ray as a result of its interaction with matter
Compton scattering: the scattering of an X-ray when it interacts with an electron
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle: a principle stating that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with unlimited precision at the same time
incandescent: glowing with heat
quantum (pl. quanta): the smallest bundle or packet of energy that a given wavelength or frequency of EMR can possess
photoelectric effect: the emission of electrons when a metal is illuminated by EMR with a frequency greater than or equal to the metal’s threshold frequency
photoelectron: an electron emitted from a metal because of the photoelectric effect
photon: one quantum of light
Planck’s formula: EMR energy is the product of the number of quanta, Planck’s constant, and the frequency of the radiation
stopping voltage: the potential difference for which the kinetic energy of a photoelectron equals the work needed to move through a potential difference
threshold frequency: the minimum frequency that a photon can have to cause photoemission from a metal
wave-particle duality: the notion that EMR has both wave-like and particle-like characteristics
work function: the minimum energy that a photon can have to cause photoemission from a metal
Each metal has a specific work function.