Applying the concepts of Dynamics and Work & Energy in Mechanics along with the a basic sense of the Electrostatic Force as we begin to understand Chemistry is one of the most important goals of the first phase of this MCAT course.
Interpreting the energy changes in an atom, for example, is fundamental to understanding chemistry. Although the atom is a quantum electrodynamical system, there is definitely a place for basic physics concepts from work & energy and classical electrodynamics to help you gain your conceptual foothold.
At a fundamental level, for example, conceptualize ionization energy as the work required to pull an electron free of an atom against electric force. . The first ionization energy is the binding energy between an atom and its highest energy ground state electron. Picture the work! How much work would it take to pull the electron away from the atom? This is the ionization energy.
Interpreting the energy changes in an atom, for example, is fundamental to understanding chemistry. Although the atom is a quantum electrodynamical system, there is definitely a place for basic physics concepts from work & energy and classical electrodynamics to help you gain your conceptual foothold.
At a fundamental level, for example, conceptualize ionization energy as the work required to pull an electron free of an atom against electric force. . The first ionization energy is the binding energy between an atom and its highest energy ground state electron. Picture the work! How much work would it take to pull the electron away from the atom? This is the ionization energy.
Ionization energy versus atomic number.