Which term describes the process of promoting an electron to a higher energy shell by absorbing energy?

Which term describes the process of promoting an electron to a higher energy shell by absorbing energy?

• A. Ionization
• B. Photon emission
• C. Electron excitation
• D. Nuclear decay

Answer: (C)

Promoting an electron to a higher energy shell by absorbing energy is electronic excitation. In atoms, electrons occupy discrete energy levels, and absorbing a photon with exactly the right energy lets the electron jump from a lower level to a higher one. If enough energy is provided to overcome the binding energy entirely, the electron is removed from the atom—this is ionization, not just promotion. Photon emission is the opposite process, where the excited electron drops to a lower level and emits a photon. Nuclear decay involves changes in the nucleus, not the electron cloud.

Promoting an electron to a higher energy shell by absorbing energy is electronic excitation. In atoms, electrons occupy discrete energy levels, and absorbing a photon with exactly the right energy lets the electron jump from a lower level to a higher one. If enough energy is provided to overcome the binding energy entirely, the electron is removed from the atom—this is ionization, not just promotion. Photon emission is the opposite process, where the excited electron drops to a lower level and emits a photon. Nuclear decay involves changes in the nucleus, not the electron cloud.