: In atoms, there are various energy levels for electrons. Each energy level has a specific energy. When moving away from the nucleus, the energy increases but the difference between the levels decreases. My question is, where did the energy come from and how does it increase or decrease?

Question

: In atoms, there are various energy levels for electrons. Each energy level has a specific energy. When moving away from the nucleus, the energy increases but the difference between the levels decreases. My question is, where did the energy come from and how does it increase or decrease?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

It comes from all around us. Any source of electromagnetic energy in the right wavelength can cause an electron to jump up an energy level. If it’s not stable in that orbital it will fall back down and release an equal amount of energy.