Three things that can happen when a photon meets a molecule.

• A. Scattered; transmitted; absorbed
• B. Reflected; refracted; emitted
• C. Scattered; refracted; absorbed
• D. Transmitted; absorbed; emitted

Answer: (A)

Light interacting with matter can be deflected, pass through, or be absorbed. When a photon meets a molecule, it can be scattered (its path changes), transmitted (it continues through the material), or absorbed (the energy is taken up by the molecule). These are the three primary fates for a photon in such encounters. Reflection is a form of scattering, so using the term “scattered” already covers it. Refraction mainly occurs at boundaries between different media and isn’t a direct single-molecule outcome, and emission would come after absorption as a separate process of re-emitting light. So the option listing scattered, transmitted, and absorbed best captures the immediate possibilities.