All gas phase atoms can absorb electromagnetic energy. Photons of specific energy cause an atom to enter an excited state, where the electron occupies a higher energy level. For H atoms, these energy levels are numbered from 1 up to higher values. The degree to which the electron is excited depends on the energy of the light absorbed. Shorter wavelength light leads to higher energy levels becoming occupied.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the absorption of electromagnetic energy by gas phase atoms?
a) Longer wavelength light leads to higher energy levels becoming occupied.
b) The degree of electron excitation is independent of the energy of the absorbed light.
c) Shorter wavelength light leads to lower energy levels becoming occupied.
d) The absorption of light by gas phase atoms does not lead to electron excitation.