Question 1
Multiple choiceMedium1 markA gaseous element is excited, and its emitted light is observed as separate violet and red lines. Which interpretation accounts for both the lines and their colours?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Each line corresponds to a photon emitted as an excited electron returns to a lower energy level. Violet light has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than red light, so violet photons have greater energy.
A: confuses emission with absorption, which occurs as electrons move to higher energy levels.
B: identifies emission correctly but reverses the relative photon energies of red and violet light.
D: reverses the electron transition direction; emission occurs when electrons move to lower energy levels.
Remember: shorter wavelength means higher frequency and greater photon energy.