Light is created when:
a. Excited electrons in an atom drop to lower energy levels and release light from that
b. The electrons in an atom absorb energy and jump to higher energy level
c. Electrical energy is converted into light through resistance
d. Energy is converted from kinetic energy into potential energy
a. Excited electrons in an atom drop to lower energy levels and release light from that.
The correct answer is:
a. Excited electrons in an atom drop to lower energy levels and release light from that.
When an atom's electrons are excited by absorbing energy, they move to higher energy levels. However, they eventually return to their ground state by releasing that energy in the form of light. This process is responsible for the creation of light in various sources, such as lamps, stars, and lasers.
The correct answer is option a.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the behavior of electrons in an atom. Electrons exist in specific energy levels or orbitals around the nucleus of an atom. When electrons gain energy, they become "excited" and move to higher energy levels. However, this state is unstable, and the electrons tend to return to lower energy levels.
When an excited electron drops back down to a lower energy level, it releases the excess energy in the form of light. This process is called "emission" or "spontaneous emission." The energy released by the electron corresponds to the frequency or color of light that is emitted.
Option b is incorrect because it describes the process of electrons absorbing energy and moving to higher energy levels, known as "excitation."
Option c refers to the phenomenon of electrical energy transforming into light through resistance. While this is a valid way to produce light, it is not directly related to the creation of light as described in the question.
Option d describes the conversion of energy between kinetic and potential forms but does not directly address the creation of light.