In order for an atom to absorb a photon (a particle of light),
A)the photon must have enough energy to remove an electron from the atom.
B)the atom must have lost all of its electrons.
C)the photon must have energy matching the difference in energy between energy levels in the atom.
D)A or C
E)B or C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an atom absorbs a photon, it can either cause an electron to jump to a higher energy level or completely remove the electron from the atom. In order for the photon to cause an electron to jump to a higher energy level, the photon must have energy matching the difference in energy between the current energy level and the higher energy level. If the photon has enough energy to completely remove an electron from the atom, it can ionize the atom. Therefore, the correct choice is either A or C.

In Order for an Atom to Absorb a Photon (A