What happens to energy levels when electrons collide with an atom?

[Millan]

Hi:

a) an atoms electron is in the ground state (4.11*10^ -17). An electron with ke 5*10^-17 collides with the atom, what happens to the energy.

b) What could subsequently happen to the electrons in the higher energy levels

help please

 

[Millan]

can anyone help ?

 

[lightgrav]

You mean the atom's electron is in the ground state, with E = - 4.11E-17 J
Stable situations usually have negative Total Energy ...

What happens if the stray electron collides with the atom's electron?
How much Energy would that "ground state" electron have then?
How far from the atom would it get before it runs out of KE?

 

[Millan]

Yes energy = - 4.11E-17 J

my mistake lol

I think the answer is that the atom gets ionised and the remaining enegry becomes the KE of the free electron.

but I am confused as to the words 'what happens to the ENERGY' (is it just absorbed by the electron in the ground state and the rest goes to KE)

and part b) i think it is the electrons drop down energy levels emmiting light - photons with discrete frequencies hence discrete wavelengths.

but the questions says 'subsequently' , so I am not sure if its right or is its just there to put you off.