electron energy levels

[Fdonovan 3D]

Why do electrons in the outermost shell have the greatest amount of energy?

[Myka G 1l]

Electrons in the outermost shell have the greatest amount of energy because they are the farthest from the nucleus. These electrons are experiencing less of a pull to the positive nucleus; therefore, have more energy.

[gferg21]

Because the electrons in the outermost shell have more room to move in the electron cloud, they have more energy and are less bogged down by the attractive forces from the nucleus and protons.

[Kurtis Liang 3I]

Electrons in the outermost shell take less energy to be removed because they have the weakest attraction to the nucleus. Additionally, they release the most energy when jumping to the innermost energy level.

[Veronica Lu 2H]

Electrons in the outer shell are further from the nucleus; therefore, they are less susceptible to the attractive forces from the nucleus pulling them in.

[Vicki Liu 2L]

Both are similar in that they detect electron movement as a response to light. However, the photoelectric effect has to do with electrons actually being emitted, meaning photons have to be at a sufficient energy level. Atomic spectroscopy on the other hand can observe in-between states.

[Miriam Villarreal 1J]

Electrons in the outermost shell have the greatest amount of potential energy because as we know potential energy is defined by energy which an object has because of its position/location, also referring to energy from net electrical charge or stored. Therefore in order to move an electron from an innermost shell to an outermost, a large amount of energy is needed which in turn results to high potential energy for electrons in the outermost shell.