Exploring Electron Energy and Distance from Nucleus

In summary, the distance between the nucleus and electrons determines the energy level of the electrons, with those further away having higher energy. This is due to the fact that the charge of the electron is constant and more energy is needed to move electrons from inner shells to outer shells. The potential energy is also affected by the distance, with greater distance resulting in higher energy levels.
  • #1
ldv1452
69
0
Why do electrons have more energy the further they are from the nucleus?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
ldv1452 said:
Why do electrons have more energy the further they are from the nucleus?

Why is that weird? Planet orbiting a sun has more energy as it is more distant.
 
  • #3
xlines said:
Why is that weird? Planet orbiting a sun has more energy as it is more distant.

I didn't say that it's weird. I want to know why that is and your response does not explain anything.
 
  • #4
the statement is false because the charge of electron is constant the statement have to be
why more energy is needed to take out electron from inner shell?
or
why electrons on the outer shell need more energy to keep them there?
 
  • #5
abc007 said:
the statement is false because the charge of electron is constant the statement have to be
why more energy is needed to take out electron from inner shell?
or
why electrons on the outer shell need more energy to keep them there?

Let me rephrase and see if it helps. Why are electron shells further from the nucleus said to be higher energy level shells? I was thinking that perhaps it is because more electrons are generally held in the outer shell, but I believe this is also true when number of electrons in shells are equal.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Electrons are negatively charged, the nucleus is positively charged.
 
  • #7
alxm said:
Electrons are negatively charged, the nucleus is positively charged.

How does this result in higher energy levels further out?
 
  • #8
ldv1452 said:
How does this result in higher energy levels further out?

The potential energy is 1/r. It takes energy to move an electron from the ground state to an excited state farther out.
 
  • #9
alxm said:
The potential energy is 1/r. It takes energy to move an electron from the ground state to an excited state farther out.

Thanks. That makes sense now.
 

1. What is the relationship between electron energy and distance from the nucleus?

The energy of an electron is directly related to its distance from the nucleus. As the distance from the nucleus increases, the energy of the electron also increases. This is because the electron experiences less attraction from the positively charged nucleus, allowing it to move further away and have higher energy levels.

2. How do electrons gain or lose energy?

Electrons can gain or lose energy through various processes such as absorption or emission of photons, collisions with other particles, or interactions with electric and magnetic fields. These changes in energy can result in the electron moving to a different distance from the nucleus.

3. What is the significance of electron energy levels?

Electron energy levels refer to the specific energy states that electrons can occupy in an atom. These energy levels are crucial in understanding an atom's properties and behavior, such as its reactivity and ability to form chemical bonds. The arrangement of the energy levels also determines an atom's electronic configuration.

4. How does the distance from the nucleus affect an atom's chemical properties?

The distance of an electron from the nucleus plays a significant role in determining an atom's chemical properties. As the distance increases, the electron is less tightly bound to the nucleus, making it easier for the atom to form chemical bonds with other atoms. This bonding ability is essential in determining an atom's reactivity and the type of chemical reactions it can undergo.

5. Can electrons exist at any distance from the nucleus?

No, electrons can only occupy specific energy levels and distances from the nucleus. These energy levels are quantized, meaning they can only exist at specific values and cannot exist in between. This is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, and it explains the stability of atoms and their electronic configurations.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
753
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
54
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
29
Views
1K
Replies
43
Views
3K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
32
Views
2K
Back
Top