Question

What happens when a hydrogen atom absorbs a quantum of energy? Use the terms ground state and excited state in your answer.

a) The electron moves to a lower energy level, reaching the ground state.
b) The electron moves to a higher energy level, reaching the excited state.
c) The electron remains in the same energy level.
d) The nucleus absorbs the energy, causing ionization.

Answer 1

When a hydrogen atom absorbs a quantum of energy, the electron moves to a higher energy level, reaching the excited state. It eventually drops back to the ground state, emitting light.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, when a hydrogen atom absorbs a quantum of energy, the electron moves to a higher energy level, reaching the excited state. The excited state is a state where the electron's potential energy is higher than the ground state. After a short interval, the atom drops back spontaneously to its ground state, emitting light. The energy difference between the levels at the beginning and end of the transition is released as a photon.