In order for an electron to go down an energy level, or closer to the nucleus it needs to ___ energy.
gain
lose
lose
In order for an electron to go down an energy level, or closer to the nucleus, it needs to lose energy.
In order for an electron to go down an energy level, or closer to the nucleus, it needs to lose energy.
To understand why this is the case, we can refer to the energy levels or electron shells in an atom. Electrons are arranged in these energy levels around the nucleus of an atom. The energy of an electron increases as it moves away from the nucleus and into higher energy levels.
When an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it releases energy in the form of light or heat. This process is known as an electron losing energy or undergoing an energy transition.
Conversely, if an electron were to move up to a higher energy level or farther away from the nucleus, it would need to gain energy. This could occur through absorbing a photon of light or through other energy transfer processes.
Therefore, to summarize, an electron needs to lose energy in order to go down an energy level or move closer to the nucleus.