EASYMCQ SINGLEIChO (Chemistry Olympiad)Physical ChemistryAtomic StructureIntro
Electronic energy is negative because
0.Electron carries a negative charge.
1.Energy is zero near the nucleus and decreases as distance increases.
2.Energy is zero at infinite distance from the nucleus and decreases as electron comes closer.
3.There are interelectronic repulsions.
Explanation
PE is defined as zero at infinity. As the electron approaches the nucleus, it loses energy (falls to lower PE), so PE becomes negative. TE = KE + PE is also negative (bound state).
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