At the end of the characteristic cascade, the ____ shell is missing an electron.
A)innermost
B)K
C)outermost
D)characteristic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The characteristic cascade refers to the process in which an atom emits a series of characteristic X-rays as an electron from a higher energy level moves to fill the vacancy left by an electron that was removed from a lower energy level. The final step in this process involves an electron from the outermost shell, or the valence shell, moving to fill the vacancy in the inner shell. Therefore, at the end of the characteristic cascade, the outermost shell is missing an electron. Choice A is incorrect because the innermost shell is typically fully occupied and does not participate in the characteristic cascade. Choice B is incorrect because the K shell is the innermost (or first) electron shell and is typically fully occupied. Choice D is incorrect because the term "characteristic" refers to the specific energies of the X-rays emitted during the cascade and does not refer to a specific shell or energy level.

At the End of the Characteristic Cascade, the ____ Shell