AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
The electron arrangements may change with the absorption of…
Full specification wording
The structure of an atom: The electron arrangements may change with the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (move further from the nucleus; a higher energy level) or by the emission of electromagnetic radiation (move closer to the nucleus; a lower energy level).
Electrons can move between energy levels, but only by gaining or losing exactly the right amount of energy.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Electrons can move between energy levels, but only by gaining or losing exactly the right amount of energy. If an atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation carrying the energy gap between two levels, an electron moves out to the higher level, further from the nucleus. The arrangement is unstable, and when the electron drops back to a lower level, closer in, the atom emits electromagnetic radiation carrying that same energy away. Absorbing moves electrons out, emitting brings them in. If the radiation absorbed is energetic enough, such as ultraviolet or an X-ray, the electron is removed from the atom completely, and the atom becomes a positive ion. That process is what ionising radiation is named for.
What earns the marks
- Absorption of electromagnetic radiation moving an electron to a level further from the nucleus.
- Emission of electromagnetic radiation when an electron moves to a level closer to the nucleus.
- Identifying the level further from the nucleus as the higher energy level.
- Stating that absorbing enough energy removes the electron altogether, leaving a positive ion.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying radiation is emitted when an electron jumps outwards.
Claiming the electron is destroyed or created during the change.
Confusing the emission of electromagnetic radiation with the emission of an electron from the atom.
Describing the nucleus, rather than an electron, as the part that absorbs the radiation.
Exam tips
- Pair the words in your answer: absorb with further out and higher, emit with closer in and lower.
- Name the radiation as electromagnetic; simply saying light or energy often misses the mark.
- Link this to ionisation if the question is about ultraviolet, X-rays or gamma rays.
Try the lesson
The start of the The structure of an atom: The electron arrangements may change with the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (move further from the nucleus; a higher energy level) or by the emission of electromagnetic radiation (move closer to the nucleus; a lower energy level). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
An electron in an atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation. What happens to the electron?
Listen
Electrons can move between energy levels, but only by gaining or losing exactly the right amount of energy. If an atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation carrying the energy gap between two levels, an electron moves out to the higher level, further from the nucleus. The arrangement is unstable, and when the electron drops back to a lower level, closer in, the atom emits electromagnetic radiation carrying that same energy away. Absorbing moves electrons out, emitting brings them in. If the radiation absorbed is energetic enough, such as ultraviolet or an X-ray, the electron is removed from the atom completely, and the atom becomes a positive ion. That process is what ionising radiation is named for. A strong answer earns marks for these points. absorption of electromagnetic radiation moving an electron to a level further from the nucleus. emission of electromagnetic radiation when an electron moves to a level closer to the nucleus. identifying the level further from the nucleus as the higher energy level. stating that absorbing enough energy removes the electron altogether, leaving a positive ion. Exam tip: Pair the words in your answer: absorb with further out and higher, emit with closer in and lower.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
absorption and emission
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
ionisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- absorption and emission
- Absorbing electromagnetic radiation moves an electron further from the nucleus to a higher energy level, while emitting it moves the electron closer to the nucleus to a lower energy level.
- ionisation
- If the radiation absorbed is energetic enough, such as ultraviolet or an X-ray, the electron is removed from the atom completely and the atom becomes a positive ion.
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