Exam-style question
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When is excitation more likely to occur than ionisation?.
- A.When the energy of the incoming photon is less than the ionisation energy but sufficient for excitation.
- B.When the atom is in a high-energy state.
- C.When the atom is in a vacuum.
- D.When the temperature is extremely low.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- When the energy of the incoming photon is less than the ionisation energy but sufficient for excitation.
Explanation
Why this works
Excitation is more likely to occur when the energy of the incoming photon is adequate to elevate an electron to a higher energy level but not enough to remove it from the atom. This situation contrasts with ionisation, which requires energy equal to or greater than the ionisation energy.
Therefore, the correct scenario for excitation is when the energy is sufficient for an electron transition without complete removal.
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