A Level Physics Practice Exam

What are the specific energy values at which an atom absorbs energy called?

1. Ionization energies

2. Excitation energies

3. Binding energies

4. Potential energies

The correct answer is: Excitation energies

The correct term for the specific energy values at which an atom absorbs energy is "excitation energies." These energies correspond to the distinct amounts needed to elevate electrons from their ground state to higher energy levels within the atom. When an atom absorbs a photon of light with energy equal to one of its excitation energies, an electron moves to an excited state. In contrast, ionization energies refer to the energy required to completely remove an electron from an atom, resulting in a charged ion, which is a different process than simply promoting an electron to a higher energy level. Binding energies typically denote the energy required to bind particles together, such as protons and neutrons within a nucleus, rather than the absorption of energy by an atom's electrons. Potential energies refer to the stored energy related to the position of an object in a field (like gravitational or electromagnetic), which is not specifically about atomic energy levels.