Exam-style question
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Define excitation and ionisation in the context of electron collisions with atoms.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Excitation occurs when an electron in an atom absorbs energy and moves to a higher energy level without leaving the atom.
- Ionisation, on the other hand, happens when an electron gains enough energy to completely escape from the atom, resulting in the formation of an ion.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer is strong because it clearly defines both concepts and highlights the key difference: excitation keeps the electron within the atom, while ionisation removes it. Understanding these processes is crucial in atomic physics, particularly in contexts involving energy transfer during electron collisions.
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