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Atoms don't do anything. If the electrons go to a higher energy state, they use energy. If they fall back to a lower state, they release energy. This shouldn't affect the entire atom, just the electrons.

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When an atom gains or loses energy what jumps between energy levels?

When an atom gains or loses energy, electrons are the subatomic particles that jump between energy levels. Electrons exist in distinct energy levels or shells around the atomic nucleus. These energy levels are quantized, meaning electrons can only occupy specific orbits. When an atom absorbs energy, typically in the form of light or heat, electrons can move to a higher energy level (excited state). Conversely, when an electron loses energy, it returns to a lower energy level (ground state) by emitting energy, often in the form of light. This process is governed by the principles of quantum mechanics and is described by the Bohr model for simple atoms and the more accurate quantum mechanical model for complex atoms. In the quantum mechanical model, electrons are described by wave functions, and their behavior is probabilistic, reflecting the uncertainty principle.


What are the energy levels of an atom occupied by?

An atom's energy levels are occupied by electrons. Electrons occupy the energy levels, or electron shells, in order of increasing energy. The lowest energy level is filled first before electrons move to higher energy levels.


Energy levels in an atom?

In an atom, electrons can occupy different energy levels, or orbits, around the nucleus. Electrons in the lowest energy level are closest to the nucleus and have the lowest energy, while electrons in higher energy levels are farther from the nucleus and have higher energy. Electrons can move between energy levels by absorbing or emitting energy in the form of photons.


Which part of an atom is free to move?

Electrons are the part of an atom that are free to move. They orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells and can be shared or transferred between atoms, allowing for the formation of chemical bonds.


What are two ways in which atoms can gain energy so that their electrons move to a higher energy level?

Atoms can gain energy through absorbing photons or through collisions with other particles. When an atom gains energy, its electrons can move to higher energy levels temporarily before returning to their original state by emitting photons.

Related Questions

Can atoms change energy levels?

Yes, atoms can change energy levels by absorbing or emitting energy in the form of light or heat. This process is known as electronic transitions. When an atom absorbs energy, its electrons move to higher energy levels, and when it emits energy, its electrons move to lower energy levels.


What do you call the regions of the atoms in which electrons move?

Energy levels or orbital


How do electrons jumping between energy levels contribute to the emission of light in atoms?

When electrons jump between energy levels in atoms, they release energy in the form of light. This emission of light occurs when electrons move from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, releasing photons in the process.


Absorption of light by atoms of an element occurs when photons are?

Absorption of light by atoms of an element occurs when photons of light with energy levels matching the energy levels of the electrons in the atom are absorbed. This causes the electrons to move to higher energy levels, and the atom becomes excited, leading to the absorption of light.


What do we mean when we say that energy levels in atoms are quantized and how does this concept impact the behavior of electrons within an atom?

When we say that energy levels in atoms are quantized, we mean that electrons can only exist at specific energy levels and cannot exist between these levels. This concept impacts the behavior of electrons within an atom by determining the specific orbits or shells they can occupy, leading to the formation of distinct energy levels and the emission or absorption of specific amounts of energy when electrons move between these levels.


Do atoms absorb the same energy?

No, atoms do not absorb the same energy. The amount of energy an atom can absorb depends on its electronic structure and the specific energy levels of its electrons. Different atoms have different numbers of electrons and different energy level arrangements, so they will absorb and emit energy at different wavelengths and energies.


How do atoms give off electromagnetic waves?

Atoms give off electromagnetic waves by releasing energy in the form of photons when electrons transition between energy levels. When an atom absorbs energy, its electrons move to higher energy levels and then emit photons as they return to their original, lower energy state. The frequency and energy of the electromagnetic waves emitted depend on the specific energy levels involved in the electron transitions.


When an atom gains or loses energy what jumps between energy levels?

When an atom gains or loses energy, electrons are the subatomic particles that jump between energy levels. Electrons exist in distinct energy levels or shells around the atomic nucleus. These energy levels are quantized, meaning electrons can only occupy specific orbits. When an atom absorbs energy, typically in the form of light or heat, electrons can move to a higher energy level (excited state). Conversely, when an electron loses energy, it returns to a lower energy level (ground state) by emitting energy, often in the form of light. This process is governed by the principles of quantum mechanics and is described by the Bohr model for simple atoms and the more accurate quantum mechanical model for complex atoms. In the quantum mechanical model, electrons are described by wave functions, and their behavior is probabilistic, reflecting the uncertainty principle.


What happens to atoms when energy is added?

When energy is added to an atom, the electrons move to outer levels of the shell. When they drop back down, they release the energy in the form of photons.


Compare the outermost electrons of an atom with the inner electrons of an atom in terms of energy.?

The outermost electrons of an atom, also known as valence electrons, have higher energy levels compared to the inner electrons. Valence electrons are involved in chemical bonding and interactions with other atoms, while inner electrons are more tightly bound to the nucleus and have lower energy levels.


What are the energy levels of an atom occupied by?

An atom's energy levels are occupied by electrons. Electrons occupy the energy levels, or electron shells, in order of increasing energy. The lowest energy level is filled first before electrons move to higher energy levels.


Energy levels in an atom?

In an atom, electrons can occupy different energy levels, or orbits, around the nucleus. Electrons in the lowest energy level are closest to the nucleus and have the lowest energy, while electrons in higher energy levels are farther from the nucleus and have higher energy. Electrons can move between energy levels by absorbing or emitting energy in the form of photons.