Exam-style question
Try this first
An electron collides with an atom and transfers 5.0 eV of energy. If the atom's excitation energy is 3.0 eV, what will happen to the excess energy?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The excess energy of 2.0 eV will be released as a photon when the electron returns to a lower energy state.
Explanation
Why this works
This question tests the understanding of energy transfer during electron collisions and the concept of excitation. The answer is strong because it clearly links the excess energy to photon emission, demonstrating knowledge of atomic transitions.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.