Which of the following is true when comparing two electrons which are in different shells of an atom?

Question

Which of the following is true when comparing two electrons which are in different shells of an atom?

a) The electron in the higher numbered shell is closer to the nucleus and is easier to remove.

b) The electron in the higher numbered shell is closer to the nucleus and is harder to remove.

c) The electron in the higher numbered shell is further from the nucleus and is easier to remove.

d) The electron in the higher numbered shell is further from the nucleus and is harder to

I chose c

Answer 1

c) The electron in the higher numbered shell is further from the nucleus and is easier to remove.

This is because electrons in higher numbered shells have higher energy levels and are located further from the nucleus, making them less strongly attracted to the nucleus and therefore easier to remove.