Chemistry 12th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0078021510
ISBN 13: 978-0-07802-151-0

Chapter 20 - Chemistry in the Atmosphere - Questions & Problems - Page 925: 20.9

Answer

Aurora borealis is the northern light while aurora australis is the term for southern light. The Sun emits charged particles - protons and electrons to our atmosphere, where they react with molecules and atoms and excite them. This means that electrons are now moved to their higher energy state. The photon is released when they are back to a lower energy state. In the sky, these photons present as visible light.

Work Step by Step

Aurora borealis is the northern light while aurora australis is the term for southern light. The Sun emits charged particles - protons and electrons to our atmosphere, where they react with molecules and atoms and excite them. This means that electrons are now moved to their higher energy state. The photon is released when they are back to a lower energy state. In the sky, these photons present as visible light.
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