11
practice testMultiple Choice

Practice Test

Question 11 • Chemistry

An electron in a hydrogen atom moves from level 3 to level 1. In a second hydrogen atom, an electron drops from level 2 to level 1. Which statement describes the most likely result?

Answer
A
The second atom emits light with more energy.
B
The first and second atoms absorb energy without emitting light.
C
The first atom emits light with more energy.
D
The first and second atoms emit light with the same amount of energy.

Explanation

When an electron drops to a lower energy level, the atom emits a photon whose energy equals the difference between the two levels. The drop from level 3 to level 1 spans a larger energy difference than the drop from level 2 to level 1, so the first atom emits light with more energy. Both transitions emit light rather than absorb energy.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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