Chemistry Regents Practice Test

What is released during the transition of an electron to a lower energy state?

1. Protons

2. Nuclear energy

3. Photon of light

4. Neutrons

The correct answer is: Photon of light

When an electron transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, it releases energy in the form of a photon of light. This process occurs within atoms when electrons move between different energy levels or orbitals. The energy that was absorbed to promote the electron to the higher state is emitted as a photon when it falls back to a lower energy level. This emitted light can be observed as specific wavelengths, which correspond to different colors in the visible spectrum or can be part of other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The other options do not describe the correct process occurring during this transition. Protons and neutrons are subatomic particles found within the nucleus of an atom and are not involved in the transition of electrons between energy states. Nuclear energy refers to the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, which is not released during electron transitions but rather during nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion.