Ultraviolet and visible radiation primarily affect which of the following in atoms and molecules?

• A. Nuclear energy levels
• B. Rotational energy levels
• C. Electronic energy levels
• D. Translational energy levels

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that atoms and molecules have different types of energy levels: nuclear, electronic, vibrational, rotational, and translational.
2. Recognize that ultraviolet (UV) and visible light have energies corresponding to the energy differences between electronic energy levels in atoms and molecules.
3. Recall that nuclear energy levels involve much higher energies (like gamma rays), so UV and visible light do not primarily affect these.
4. Note that rotational and translational energy levels correspond to much lower energies, typically affected by microwave or infrared radiation, not UV or visible light.
5. Conclude that UV and visible radiation primarily cause transitions between electronic energy levels, which involve electrons moving between different orbitals or energy states.