Question

Which of the following best explains what happens as photons of visible light are absorbed by dye molecules?

A. Certain electrons in the dye molecule move to a higher energy level, with the difference in energy between the lower and higher energy levels being the same as the energy of the absorbed photons

B. Certain chemical bonds in the dye molecules begin to bend and stretch with the difference in energy between the lower and higher vibrational states being the same as the energy of the absorbed photons.

C. The dye molecules begin to rotate faster in certain modes, with the difference in energy between the lower and higher rotational states being the same as the energy of the absorbed photons

D. Certain covalent bonds in the dye molecules begin to break and reform, with the bond energies of the bonds being the same as the energy of the absorbed photons

Answer 1

The dyes work via changes in the bonds that correspond to the energy of the photons absorbed. As explained in the option, these are vibrational states of the bonds.

So, the correct answer is B.