Why Do Electrons Closer to the Nucleus Have Lower Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy levels of electrons in relation to their proximity to the nucleus of an atom. Participants explore concepts related to electron binding energy, kinetic energy, and the implications of energy levels in atomic structure.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why electrons closer to the nucleus have less energy compared to those further away.
  • Another participant suggests that electrons closer to the nucleus require more energy to be removed from the atom, implying that outer electrons can be removed with less energy.
  • A different viewpoint posits that electrons closer to the nucleus are held tighter, which may imply they have lower energy levels, but also suggests that they must move faster to avoid being pulled closer, indicating a relationship between kinetic energy and distance from the nucleus.
  • It is noted that when an electron is completely removed, it is conventionally assigned zero energy, and that bound electrons have negative energy, leading to the conclusion that electrons requiring more energy to remove must have started at a lower (more negative) energy level.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between electron proximity to the nucleus and energy levels, with no consensus reached on the underlying reasons for these observations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of energy levels and the implications of kinetic energy in the context of electron behavior within atoms.

waterliyl
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Why do electrons closer to nucleus have
Less energy than electrons first away?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi,
I guess the other way is true: The electrons that are closer to nucleus require more energy to remove from the atom. The outer electrons can be removed with less energy when compared to electrons that are closer to nucleus. Hope it helps.
Cheers,
Rajini
 
They have a lower energy level because they are held tighter ... thought about another way: the electrons must be moving faster (higher kinetic energy) in order to avoid being pulled closer.
 
Rajini said:
The electrons that are closer to nucleus require more energy to remove from the atom.

True! However, when the electron is "completely removed" we say (by convention) that it has zero energy. Electrons that are bound in an atom have negative energy. When removing an electron, we add energy, raising it from negative to zero. If an electron requires more energy to remove, it must have been at a lower (more negative) energy to begin with.

Think of raising an object out of a hole in the ground.
 

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