A Level Physics Practice Exam

Excitation energy measurements are primarily used to construct what for the atom?

1. Mass number chart

2. Nuclear stability graph

3. Energy level diagram

4. Electron configuration model

The correct answer is: Energy level diagram

The correct response highlights that excitation energy measurements are essential for constructing energy level diagrams for atoms. These diagrams represent the allowed energy states of electrons within an atom, providing a visual representation of the various energy levels and the transitions that can occur between them. When an atom absorbs energy, electrons can move to higher energy levels, and when they return to lower levels, they emit energy, often in the form of light. Energy level diagrams are integral to understanding atomic behavior, as they help illustrate how electrons interact with photons and how these interactions lead to phenomena such as absorption and emission spectra. These diagrams directly reflect the discrete energy levels associated with the different electronic configurations within an atom. The other options do not accurately represent the purpose of excitation energy measurements. For example, while a mass number chart relates to the number of protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei, and a nuclear stability graph pertains to the stability of nuclei, they don't focus on electronic transitions. Likewise, while the electron configuration model describes how electrons are distributed among the atomic orbitals, it does not specifically illustrate the energy transitions that excitation energy measurements highlight. Therefore, the emphasis on energy levels characterizes the primary use of excitation energy measurements.