Which best explains what happens when an electron moves from an excited state to the ground state?

• A. The electron loses mass and becomes a neutron.
• B. The electron releases energy in the form of a photon.
• C. The electron absorbs energy from its surroundings.
• D. The electron remains at a higher energy level indefinitely.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electrons in an atom occupy specific energy levels or states, with the ground state being the lowest energy level and excited states being higher energy levels.
2. Recognize that when an electron moves from an excited state to the ground state, it transitions to a lower energy level, which means it must lose energy.
3. Recall that energy lost by the electron during this transition is emitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation, commonly a photon, which carries away the energy difference between the two states.
4. Note that the electron does not lose mass or change into another particle such as a neutron; its mass remains constant during energy transitions.
5. Understand that the electron cannot remain indefinitely in an excited state because it is unstable and will eventually release energy to return to the ground state.