Question

this energy diagram shows the allowed energy levels of an electron in a certain atom or molecule;
diagram with energy levels a, b, c, d, e (a lowest, e highest)
use this diagram to complete the table below.
which is the ground state? ​select ​
how many excited states are there? ​​
how many lines are in the absorption line spectrum? ​​
which transition causes the absorption line at the shortest wavelength? ​​→ ​​
which transition causes the absorption line at the longest wavelength? ​​→ ​​

Explanation:

1. Which is the ground state?

The ground state is the lowest energy level. From the diagram, level A has the lowest energy (since it's at the bottom), so the ground state is A.

Excited states are energy levels above the ground state. The levels are A (ground), B, C, D, E. So excited states are B, C, D, E. Count them: 4.

Absorption lines come from transitions from ground state (A) to higher levels. Transitions: A→B, A→C, A→D, A→E. That's 4 transitions, so 4 lines.

Answer:

A

2. How many excited states are there?