Question

a tube containing neon gas is excited via electricity and emits light. this light is filtered through a prism and observed. which of the following statements about the spectra and electron energy is false?
excited atoms create an emission line when they return to their ground state by releasing a photon.
the color of neon we see results from a combination of all its emission lines.
the absorption of a photon results in higher overall energy for the atom.
during emission, all electrons will return to the ground state.

Explanation:

• When excited neon atoms emit light, electrons can return to lower energy states that are not the absolute ground state (they can move to intermediate energy levels), not all electrons must return to the ground state.
• The first statement is true: excited atoms release photons as they return to ground state, creating emission lines.
• The second statement is true: the observed neon color is the combined effect of all its distinct emission lines.
• The third statement is true: absorbing a photon adds energy to the atom, raising its overall energy.

Answer:

During emission, all electrons will return to the ground state.