As the orbit number increases, the K.E. and P.E. for an electron: — Atomic Structure Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Under Bohr's model, Kinetic Energy is K.E. = 13.6 * Z^2 / n^2 eV (which is positive) and Potential Energy is P.E. = -27.2 * Z^2 / n^2 eV (which is negative). As n increases: (i) K.E. decreases because 1/n^2 decreases. (ii) P.E. increases because it becomes less negative (shifting from a lower negative value toward zero). Hence, P.E. increases but K.E. decreases.