Question

An electron in energy level $n=1$ is given energy $E$ which is slightly more than energy required to excite to level $n=2$ and less than energy required to excite to level $n=3$. The electron will:

• A. be excited to level $n=2$
• B. be excited to level $n=3$
• C. not be excited
• D. be ionized

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

be excited to level $n=2$

Electronic energy levels are quantised. Electrons accepts only certain discrete amount of energies required for its transition. In this case where it requires energy E to excite to level $n=2$, and it is provided with energy more than E, then it will accept only energy E and will excite to level $n=2$. Since, the energy is not sufficient to excite the electron to level $n=3$, therefore, it will discard the extra amount of energy and will accept only the definite amount of energy required to get excited to level $n=2$.