Question

The more energy we put in, the higher we can make the electron jump - this will result in a greater release of energy. Which of the following transitions back to ground state will result in the greatest release of energy?

4p --> 3d
4p --> 28
3p --> 2s

Answer 1

The transition from 4p to 2s will result in the greatest release of energy due to the larger difference in energy levels associated with these orbitals. This transition involves a higher energy photon release than 4p to 3d or 3p to 2s transitions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the concept of electron transitions and energy release when an electron moves back to the ground state from an excited state in an atom. According to the atomic structure and energy levels, the greatest release of energy occurs when an electron transitions from a higher principal quantum number (n) to a significantly lower one, and the amount of energy released is proportional to the difference in energy levels between the two states.

The 4p to 2s transition will result in the greatest release of energy. This is because 4p is at a higher principal energy level compared to 3d and 2s, and therefore has significantly more energy. According to the energy diagram, the transition from 4p to 2s involves a greater change in the principal quantum number and energy levels than the 4p to 3d or 3p to 2s transitions, resulting in a higher energy photon being released during the 4p to 2s transition.