De-excitation
Key Stage 5
Meaning
De-excitation is the process in which an atom loses energy by photon emission as a result of an electron moving from one energy level to an unoccupied position in a lower energy level.
About De-excitation
- De-excitation occurs when an electron in a higher energy level falls to a lower energy level.
- The energy difference between the two levels is emitted as a photon.
- The emitted photon has an energy exactly equal to the energy difference between the levels.
- De-excitation is the reverse of excitation, where energy is absorbed to move an electron to a higher level.
- Important in the study of atomic spectra and the identification of elements.