MCAT General Chemistry Question 7: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 7

7. Suppose an electron falls from n = 4 to its ground state, n = 1. Which of the following effects is most likely?

  • A. A photon is absorbed.
  • B. A photon is emitted.
  • C. The electron moves into a p-orbital.
  • D. The electron moves into a d-orbital.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Because the electron is moving into the n = 1 shell, the only subshell available is the 1s subshell, which eliminates choices (C) and (D). There will be some energy change, however, as the electron must lose energy to return to the minimum-energy ground state. That will require emitting radiation in the form of a photon.

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