The correct wording for the question is:
Light is emitted by electrons when they drop from one energy level to a lower leve. Which transition results in the emission of light with the greatest energy:
Answer:
- Third option: level 4 to level 2.
Explanation:
The electron transition in an atom from an upper level of energy to a lower level of energy, i.e. the jump of an electron to a lower energy level, implies the emission of light energy and the release of energy of the electron, i.e. the electron changes its energy.
The larger the gap between the states that the electron jumps, the shorter the wavelength of the photon emitted, the higher its frequency and the energy emiited during such transition of the electron (remember energy is directly proportional to the frequency of the wave, and both are inversely related to the wavelength).
From the options given the larger jump is from level 4 to level 2, so that is the transition that results in the emission of light with the greatest energy, which is the last option.
