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GCSE Physics · key term
The release of energy from an atom or nucleus as electromagnetic radiation.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.6.2.2 · Paper 2
The release of radiation by an object.
Revise: Properties of electromagnetic waves 1The surface finish can account for differences in infrared emission, provided other routes of energy transfer are kept as similar as possible. The flasks also lose energy by conduction and convection, so their total cooling is not a direct measurement of infrared radiation alone.
Specification 5.19P, 5.24, 6.8 · Paper 1
The giving out of energy as electromagnetic radiation.
The release of energy from an atom as electromagnetic radiation.
Specification P6.1i, P8.3h · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
The release of energy from an atom or nucleus as radiation.
The giving out of electromagnetic radiation by a body, transferring energy away from it.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The release of electromagnetic radiation by an atom, molecule or nucleus as it loses energy.
Revise: Atomic Interactions and Generation of RadiationGamma rays are emitted from atomic nuclei rather than from electron arrangements around the nucleus. This nuclear origin distinguishes gamma emission from the specified generation mechanism for X-rays, ultraviolet and visible light.
Keep the direction of energy transfer clear: absorption moves a system to a higher energy level; emission occurs when it moves to a lower energy level.
State both parts of each change: absorption of electromagnetic radiation moves an electron to a higher energy level; emission moves it to a lower energy level.
Do not say that an electron emits radiation while moving to a higher level. Moving up requires absorption; moving down can cause emission.
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