Why is it that the energy of an electron is greater when it is in the farthest out orbite?

Question

Please answer as soon as possible!

Answer 1

Because it has the greatest combination of total energy...Potential + kinetic energy.

For example, an electron in hydrogen in the ground state (n=1) has an binding energy of -13.6eV. The binding energy at n=2 is -3.4eV, hence for an electron transition from n=1 to n=2 the electron must 'absorb' a photon of energy E = |-13.6 + 3.4 | = 10.2eV. This energy corresponds to the wavelength of a photon in the UV range. Equally, when an electron becomes 'de-excited' i.e. transitions from n=2 to n=1 the electron will emit a photon of the same corresponding energy and hence wavelength. The process becomes a little more complicated if you start looking at the hyperfine structure of hydrogen or other elements in general.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Electrons flow in what we call orbitals or shells. The closer an electron is to the nucleus the 'tighter' it is held in it's orbital/shell and the further away it is from the nucleus the 'looser' it is kept in its orbital/shell. Because of this effect, the electrons in the outer shell exist in a higher energy state. Also, you may want to search the topic "Electron Energy Shells". Hope this helps.

Answer 3

hey we are doing the same thing in chemistry. it is because when they are closer to the nucleas, the energy is attracted to the nucleas (positive charge) and the further out you go, the less energy is being attracted to the nucleas. voila! vote me best answer lol.

Answer 4

For a fun discussion with animation see the ref below.

Answer 5

Because as it gets nearer the nucleus, which is of opposite charge, it lowers its potential energy.