Exam-style question
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What is the primary distinction between excitation and ionisation in atomic physics?.
- A.Excitation involves an electron moving to a higher energy level, while ionisation involves an electron being completely removed from the atom.
- B.Excitation results in the atom becoming charged, while ionisation does not affect the atom's charge.
- C.Excitation occurs only at high temperatures, while ionisation can occur at any temperature.
- D.Excitation involves the absorption of energy, while ionisation involves the release of energy.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Excitation involves an electron moving to a higher energy level, while ionisation involves an electron being completely removed from the atom.
Explanation
Why this works
Excitation refers to the process where an electron absorbs energy and moves to a higher energy level within the atom, while ionisation is the process where an electron gains enough energy to escape the atom entirely. This key difference is important because excitation can occur without changing the overall charge of the atom, whereas ionisation results in a charged ion.
Excitation typically occurs in lower energy interactions, while ionisation requires higher energy collisions. Therefore, the correct distinction is that excitation keeps the electron within the atom, while ionisation removes it.
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