Electrical stability of an atom

[lxman]

Homework Statement

As shown in class the electric potential energy of a water molecule is -5.33 eV. Which molecule is more electrically stable, H₂O or CO? Why?

Homework Equations

EPE=K_c*q₁*q₂/r₁₂

The Attempt at a Solution

The water molecule's EPE is -5.33 eV. The carbon monoxide molecule's EPE is -2.04 eV. Am I correct in believing that the carbon monoxide molecule is more stable, as the magnitude of its charge is lower?

 

[SammyS]

The question has do do with potential energy, not charge.

 

[lxman]

Alright then, let's see . . .

eV is a unit of energy. Therefore would I be correct in concluding that the CO molecule has a quantity of energy closer to zero and therefore it would be more electrically stable?