Bohr’s Model of the Atom

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Subatomic particle Noun

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[sub-uh-tom-ik par-ti-kuhl]

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Subatomic particle

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A particle, such as a proton, neutron, or electron, that is smaller in size than an atom.

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Example: This Bohr model of an atom shows the three types of subatomic particles: protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and electrons in surrounding shells.

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Electron Noun

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[i-lek-tron]

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Electron

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A stable subatomic particle with a negative electric charge, found in all atoms and acting as a primary electricity carrier.

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Example: This diagram shows electrons as negatively charged particles that orbit the central nucleus of an atom in specific paths called electron shells.

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Thomson's Model Noun

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[tom-suhns mod-l]

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Thomson's Model

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An early atomic model suggesting that an atom is composed of electrons scattered throughout a sphere of positive charge.

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Example: This diagram shows Thomson's atomic model, where negatively charged electrons are embedded within a sphere of uniform positive charge, like plums in a pudding.

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Alpha particle Noun

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[al-fuh par-ti-kuhl]

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Alpha particle

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A particle containing two protons and two neutrons, with a positive charge, emitted by some radioactive substances during decay.

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Example: An unstable parent nucleus releases an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, and becomes a more stable daughter nucleus.

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Nucleus Noun

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[noo-klee-uhs]

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Nucleus

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The tiny, dense, positively charged central region of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons and containing most of its mass.

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Example: The nucleus is the dense, central core of an atom, containing protons and neutrons, as shown by the red center in this Bohr model.

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Nuclear model Noun

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[noo-klee-er mod-l]

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Nuclear model

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Rutherford's atomic model where an atom's positive charge and mass are concentrated in a small, central nucleus.

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Example: This diagram shows a Bohr model of an Oxygen atom, with a central nucleus and electrons orbiting in specific, fixed energy shells or levels.

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Planetary model Noun

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[plan-i-ter-ee mod-l]

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Planetary model

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An atomic model where electrons are depicted as orbiting a central nucleus in a manner similar to planets orbiting the sun.

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Example: This diagram shows a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting it, similar to how planets orbit the sun.

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Electromagnetic wave Noun

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[i-lek-troh-mag-net-ik weyv]

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Electromagnetic wave

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A wave of energy consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, radiated by accelerating charged particles.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes all types of electromagnetic waves, such as visible light, X-rays, and radio waves.

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Emission spectrum Noun

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[i-mish-uhn spek-truhm]

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Emission spectrum

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A unique pattern of bright lines of specific wavelengths of light that are emitted by an element's excited atoms.

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Example: An emission spectrum shows the specific colors (wavelengths) of light an element gives off, creating a unique pattern like a chemical fingerprint.

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Spectroscope Noun

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[spek-truh-skohp]

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Spectroscope

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An instrument that separates light into its constituent wavelengths, allowing for the detailed study of emission or absorption spectra.

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Example: A spectroscope splits light from a source, like an element, into its unique spectrum, which acts like a fingerprint to identify the element.