Asked by Gabriel

What can be added to an atom to cause a nonvalence electron in the atom to temporarily become a valence electron?

energy
mass
neutrons
electrons

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
energy

Supplying energy (e.g., heat or light) can excite a nonvalence (inner) electron to a higher energy level so it occupies the valence shell temporarily. Adding neutrons or mass doesn't change electron arrangements, and adding electrons changes electron count but doesn't "promote" an inner electron.