An electron collides with an isolated atom and raises an orbiting electron to a higher energy level - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 9 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 9
An electron collides with an isolated atom and raises an orbiting electron to a higher energy level.
Which statement is correct?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An electron collides with an isolated atom and raises an orbiting electron to a higher energy level - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 9 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
A The colliding electron is captured by the nucleus of the atom.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect because, in a typical electron collision with an atom, the colliding electron does not get captured by the nucleus. Instead, it interacts with the orbiting electrons.
Step 2
B A photon is emitted when the electron rises to the higher energy level.
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Answer
This is also incorrect. In fact, a photon is emitted when the electron returns to a lower energy level, not when it is excited to a higher one.
Step 3
C An electron is emitted when the excited electron returns to the ground state.
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Answer
This statement is misleading. While an electron can be emitted (in the case of ionization), the statement focuses on the return to the ground state, which typically involves emission of a photon, not an electron.
Step 4
D Energy is transferred from the colliding electron to the orbiting electron.
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Answer
This is the correct statement. During the collision, kinetic energy from the colliding electron is transferred to the orbiting electron, allowing it to move to a higher energy level in the atom.
