Inside the Atom Flashcards
What binds electrons to the nucleus?
Electrostatic attraction to the protons within the nucleus
What determines the shell in which an electron is located?
The energy of the electron
Where are low energy electrons located?
In the shells that are close to the nucleus
Where are high energy electrons located?
In outer shells
What occurs when electrons jump to a higher energy level?
They enter an excited state
What happens when electrons return to their original lower energy level?
They release a photon, light
What are valence electrons?
The electrons in the outermost shell
What is ionisation energy?
The energy needed to remove an electron from an atom
Is it easier to remove electrons from the outermost shell or from shells closer to the nucleus?
Removing electrons from the outermost shell requires less energy
Fill in the blank: The _______ is when electrons are in their lowest energy state.
Ground State
Fill in the blank: When electrons gain energy, they can become _______.
Excited
