Energy level after photon absorbtion

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When a photon is absorbed by an electron in an oxygen atom, it can only be absorbed if there is an available unoccupied energy level for the electron to transition to. If the photon lacks sufficient energy to promote the electron to a free orbital, it does not get absorbed at all. The electron's ability to discern the energy level of the photon is governed by the principles of quantum mechanics. In essence, if a transition is not possible due to energy constraints, the absorption process simply does not occur. This highlights the fundamental nature of quantum interactions in atomic systems.
Johnahh
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Say a photon was absorbed by an electron at 1s in an oxygen atom but it only had enough energy to move it to another energy level that was already occupied such a 2s etc. What happens to this photon?
 
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The photon does not get absorbed if there is no available unoccupied energy level for the electron.
 
so how does the electron know that the photon does not have enough energy to move it to a free orbital?
 
Quantum mechanics. If a process is impossible, it just does not happen.
 
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