Which has more potential energy: an electron close to an atomic nucleus or one far from an atomic nucleus?

Question

please explain

Answer 1

Farther. The potential energy of an electron is zero at infinity. That's what often confuses people. When bound to an atom however, it's potential energy drops to a *negative*.value. This simply means it require work to move it back to infinity.

Answer 2

The closer one of course see:
The equation you are referring to I assume is
E= (1/4πε)(q1q2 /2r)
where energy is related to the inverse of its distance, so the higher the distance the lower the energy.

And through Bohr's equation we see that
E=((me^4)/(8ε^2h^2))(1/n^2)
since n= the quantum number, the closer it is to the atom the more energy it has.

When the electron falls to a higher quantum level it absorbs a definite amount of energy and not loses it. A photon is only released when it falls into a lower energy level, that is farther away from the atom. Gorzar you are correct in "adding energy (such as photons) will raise electrons to higher orbitals" but you might be confused in what higher is. Higher orbitals are simply ones with higher energy, ones closer to tha atom.

Answer 3

Farther. Adding energy (such as photons) will raise electrons to higher orbitals. When the electrons move closer to the nucleus they will lose energy, and emit photons.

Think of a ball on a table, and a ball on a tall ladder. The higher ball has more potential energy.

Answer 4

via fact the nucleis is easily charged and that makes those closer to the nucleus weaker and those on the outdoors are extra suitable, those on the outer capability point are stated as valence electrons and that they style the two covalent or ionic bonds 2 different atoms 2 style molecules of a compound

Answer 5

Gorzar's right.

And a photon is emitted when the electron loses energy and returns to a lower orbital (shell).

Answer 6

the one close to the atom

Answer 7

Closer

Answer 8

potential energy?

closer.


yep.



cheers!

Answer 9

farther