What is implied about an electron in an atom when it is observed that it has discrete spectral lines?
A) The electron is negatively charged.
B) The electron is oppositely charged from the proton.
C) The electron circles the nucleus.
D) The electron can have only certain energies.
E) The electron has negligible mass.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of discrete spectral lines implies that the electron can have only certain energies. This is because the electron can only emit or absorb energy in specific amounts, corresponding to the energy difference between two allowed energy levels. Therefore, the electron has quantized energy levels within the atom.

What Is Implied About an Electron in an Atom When