Suppose you have an electron in the $\ce{2s}$ subshell of an atom. If energy is given to it, does it simply jump to the next energy level (into the $\ce{3s}$ subshell), or does it move into $\ce{2p}$?
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1$\begingroup$ Maybe not duplicate but definitely related: chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/166687/… $\endgroup$– AVSDec 26, 2022 at 8:47
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1$\begingroup$ Transitions must happen with a change in the l quantum number to conserve momentum. the 2s to 3s transition does not happen. The lowest is 2s to 2p actually a doublet. The 2p state can be excited to 3s. $\endgroup$– jimchmstDec 27, 2022 at 0:49
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Depends on the amount of energy you're supplying.
For example, if you supply light of different wavelengths, the amount of energy each holds is different. Your electron will jump to a subshell corresponding to that energy difference.
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$\begingroup$ Transitions also happen thermally. There are vibrational and rotational changes with partial excitation, the Raman effect. $\endgroup$– jimchmstDec 27, 2022 at 0:11