Electrons and Energy
Electrons and Energy
The positively charged protons in an atom are located in the nucleus. They
give the atom its identity and the number of protons will remain constant
within an atom during any chemical change or reaction.
The negative electrons, however; move about outside the nucleus. They are
held near the nucleus by the opposite charges between themselves and the
protons. The lower energy electrons are nearer the nucleus and the higher
energy electrons are farther away. Unlike the protons, the electrons can
actually leave the atom. The electrons in the outer energy levels can be pulled
away, or, if given enough energy, will fly away themselves.
1. What are the three possible states of charge?
The positively charged protons in an atom are located in the nucleus. They
give the atom its identity and the number of protons will remain constant
within an atom during any chemical change or reaction.
The negative electrons, however; move about outside the nucleus. They are
held near the nucleus by the opposite charges between themselves and the
protons. The lower energy electrons are nearer the nucleus and the higher
energy electrons are farther away. Unlike the protons, the electrons can
actually leave the atom. The electrons in the outer energy levels can be pulled
away, or, if given enough energy, will fly away themselves.
1. What are the three possible states of charge?
2. What happens when objects with opposite charges get near each
other?
2. What happens when objects with opposite charges get near each
other?
3. What happens when objects with the same charge get near each
other?
3. What happens when objects with the same charge get near each
other?
Since high-energy electrons are farther away from the nucleus, the pull of
the nucleus on them is less than the pull of the nucleus on the low-energy
electrons that are closer to the nucleus. Electrons that are farther away will
not move closer to the nucleus because that will also put them closer to other
electrons. Their charge is the same as other electrons, so they avoid each
other.
4. Why can high-energy electrons get away from an atom while lowenergy electrons cannot?
Since high-energy electrons are farther away from the nucleus, the pull of
the nucleus on them is less than the pull of the nucleus on the low-energy
electrons that are closer to the nucleus. Electrons that are farther away will
not move closer to the nucleus because that will also put them closer to other
electrons. Their charge is the same as other electrons, so they avoid each
other.
4. Why can high-energy electrons get away from an atom while lowenergy electrons cannot?