Why Do Electrons Gain Energy as They Move Away from the Nucleus?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of electron energy levels in relation to their distance from the nucleus. Participants explore the reasons why electrons are said to have more energy when they are further from the nucleus, touching on analogies with planetary orbits and the nature of electron shells.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why electrons have more energy at greater distances from the nucleus, drawing parallels to planets orbiting a sun.
  • Others challenge the initial premise, suggesting that the statement may be misleading and proposing alternative questions about energy requirements for electrons in different shells.
  • A participant notes that electrons are negatively charged and the nucleus is positively charged, prompting further inquiry into how this relationship affects energy levels.
  • One participant mentions that potential energy is inversely related to distance (1/r), indicating that energy is required to move electrons from lower to higher energy states.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the initial premise regarding electron energy levels. Multiple competing views are presented, with some participants agreeing on the need for clarification while others dispute the framing of the question.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of energy levels and the conditions under which energy is required to move electrons between shells. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the relationship between charge and energy levels.

ldv1452
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Why do electrons have more energy the further they are from the nucleus?
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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:
Electrons are negatively charged, the nucleus is positively charged.
 
alxm said:
Electrons are negatively charged, the nucleus is positively charged.

How does this result in higher energy levels further out?
 
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.
 
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.
 

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