which of the following statements correctly describes energy levels?
A. Electrons can never move to a higher or lower energy level.
B. In its outermost energy level, oxygen has 4 valence electrons
C. The Second energy level holds a maximum of eight electrons.
D. The greater the energy of the level, the father away it is from the nucleus.
I really don't know how to answer this because the answers are confusing.
A is not true for certain.
B. The electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p4 and that 2p4 would make it a true statement; however, I don't think that is the answer wanted. Oxygen has 6 electrons in n = 2 which makes the statement not true. See what I mean.
C. This is true for sure.
D. The energy level at infinity is zero while all of the others\ energy levels from infinity to the nucleus are negative numbers; therefore, taken literally, this statement is true but again, I don't think this is the answer your prof wants.
I think the answer to the question is C but B and D are worded so that they can be interpreted to be true.
The correct statement that describes energy levels is:
D. The greater the energy of the level, the farther away it is from the nucleus.
This statement is based on the Bohr model, which states that electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells. Electrons in higher energy levels are found at greater distances from the nucleus.
To determine which statement correctly describes energy levels, let's analyze each option:
A. Electrons can never move to a higher or lower energy level. - This statement is incorrect. Electrons can move to higher or lower energy levels through processes such as absorption or emission of energy.
B. In its outermost energy level, oxygen has 4 valence electrons. - This statement is incorrect. Oxygen, with an atomic number of 8, has 6 valence electrons in its outermost energy level.
C. The Second energy level holds a maximum of eight electrons. - This statement is correct. According to the Aufbau principle, the second energy level can hold a maximum of eight electrons.
D. The greater the energy of the level, the farther away it is from the nucleus. - This statement is correct. Energy levels are organized in discrete shells around the nucleus. The higher the energy level, the farther it is from the nucleus.
Based on the analysis, the correct statement describing energy levels is:
C. The Second energy level holds a maximum of eight electrons.
D. The greater the energy of the level, the farther away it is from the nucleus.