Exam-style question
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What happens during an electron collision with an atom that transfers energy?.
- A.The electron loses energy and the atom gains it
- B.The atom loses energy and the electron gains it
- C.Both the electron and atom lose energy
- D.Both the electron and atom gain energy
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The electron loses energy and the atom gains it
Explanation
Why this works
During an electron collision, the electron transfers discrete amounts of energy to the atom, resulting in the atom gaining energy and potentially moving to a higher energy state.
Common mistake
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