Question

the electron in this hydrogen atom releases a photon of red visible light corresponding to the shift between n = 3 and n = 2. which of the following is not true for the atom?
the electron releases the photon and moves to the lower energy level.
an emission spectrum shows a line corresponding to the wavelength of the photon.
the energy of the atom decreases.
the electron moves from its ground state to an excited state.

Explanation:

1. When an electron moves from a higher energy level ($n=3$) to a lower one ($n=2$), it releases energy in the form of a photon, so it moves to a lower energy level.
2. Emission of a photon of a specific wavelength creates a corresponding line in the atom's emission spectrum.
3. Since the atom releases energy (as a photon), the total energy of the atom decreases.
4. The ground state of hydrogen is $n=1$. Moving from $n=3$ to $n=2$ is moving to a lower energy level, not from ground state to an excited state; moving to a higher $n$ would be excitation.

Answer:

The electron moves from its ground state to an excited state.