In a hydrogen atom, an electron in a ________ orbital can absorb a photon, but cannot emit a photon.
A)3s
B)2s
C)3p
D)1s
E)3f

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electron in a 1s orbital has the lowest energy and is the closest to the nucleus. It can absorb a photon to move to a higher energy level (excited state), but it cannot emit a photon from the 1s orbital because there is no lower energy level for the electron to transition to. Therefore, choice D (1s) is the best option. Choices A (3s), C (3p), and E (3f) are all higher energy orbitals than the 1s orbital and the electron in these orbitals can both absorb and emit photons. Choice B (2s) is a higher energy orbital than the 1s orbital, but it is still able to emit photons through a transition to the 1s orbital.

In a Hydrogen Atom, an Electron in a ________ Orbital