Exam-style question
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What happens to an atom during ionisation?.
- A.The atom absorbs energy and an electron moves to a higher energy level.
- B.The atom loses an electron and becomes positively charged.
- C.The atom gains an electron and becomes negatively charged.
- D.The atom's electrons are redistributed among its energy levels.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The atom loses an electron and becomes positively charged.
Explanation
Why this works
During ionisation, an atom absorbs sufficient energy to remove one of its electrons completely, resulting in a positively charged ion. This process is different from excitation, where the electron remains bound to the atom but is elevated to a higher energy state.
Ionisation is significant in various physical and chemical processes, particularly when high-energy collisions occur. Thus, the correct outcome of ionisation is the loss of an electron and the formation of a positive charge.
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