An element is selective in the frequency of light it will absorb. This selectivity is due to its:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The selectivity of an element in the frequency of light it will absorb is due to its electron energy levels. When an electron in an atom absorbs a photon of light, it gains energy and moves to a higher energy level. The energy of the absorbed photon must match the difference in energy between the electron's initial and final energy levels. Therefore, the specific frequencies of light that an element will absorb are dependent on the energy levels of its electrons.

An Element Is Selective in the Frequency of Light It