Answer: Electrons and Energy: Why do Atoms Gain/Lose Energy?

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SUMMARY

Atoms gain energy when they lose electrons due to the energy required to overcome the attractive forces between the electrons and the nucleus. This process aligns with the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Conversely, when atoms gain electrons, they release energy as the electrons are drawn closer to the nucleus, stabilizing the atom. This fundamental principle is crucial for understanding atomic behavior in various chemical reactions.

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  • Basic understanding of atomic structure
  • Familiarity with the law of conservation of energy
  • Knowledge of electron configurations
  • Concept of ionization energy
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friendbobbiny
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Why do atoms gain energy when they lose electrons, and why do they lose energy when they gain electrons.

The only explanation I found (for the first question) raises more questions. The explanation was: it takes energy to remove an electron from an atom, and atoms gain that energy. I can understand why it takes energy to remove an electron from an atom, but why does the atom gain that energy?
 
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