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

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SUMMARY

Electrons gain energy as they move away from the nucleus due to the nature of electric potential energy, which is inversely proportional to the distance from the nucleus (1/r). This means that as an electron moves to higher energy levels, it requires energy to transition from a lower energy state to a higher one. The discussion clarifies that the charge of the electron remains constant, and the energy required to remove an electron from inner shells is greater than that for outer shells, as outer shell electrons are in higher energy states.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and electron configuration
  • Familiarity with concepts of electric potential energy
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and energy levels
  • Knowledge of the relationship between charge and energy in atomic interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of electric potential energy in atomic physics
  • Study quantum mechanics principles related to electron shells and energy levels
  • Explore the differences between inner and outer shell electron energies
  • Learn about the implications of electron transitions in spectroscopy
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Students of physics, chemistry enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding atomic behavior and electron 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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