Question

Consider these two cases.

Case 1: An electron jumps from energy level 1 to energy level 4 in an atom.

Case 2: An electron jumps from energy level 1 to energy level 5 in an atom.

For case 1, what happens when an electron jumps from energy level 1 to energy level 4 in an atom?

-An electron is absorbed by the atom.

-A photon is absorbed by the atom.

-A photon is emitted by the atom.

-An electron is emitted by the atom.

Assuming that both cases describe Hydrogen‑like atoms with one electron, for which case is more energy emitted or absorbed?

-More energy is emitted or absorbed for case 1.

-The energy is the same for both cases.

-It is impossible to tell.

-More energy is emitted or absorbed for case 2.

Answer 1

1. Electron in higher orbits have higher than that in a lower orbit. For example, electron in the 4th orbit has higher energy than that in the 1st orbit.

So, to jump from the 1st orbit to 4th orbit, the electron requires energy. This energy is provided by a photon. The electron in the 1st orbit absorbs a photon and as a result it's energy increases and hence it jumps to the the 4th orbit.

So, a photon is absorbed by the atom.

2. As the elctrons in the 5th orbit have higher energy than in the 4th orbit, so higher energy is required for the jump from 1st orbit to the 5th orbit than that required to jump from the 1st orbit to the 4th orbit.

So, more energy is emmitted or absorbed for case 2.

Comment if any problem.