As electron moves away from the nucleus, its potential energy

Options

A. increases
B. decreases
C. remains constant
D. none of these

Answer

To solve the question regarding the potential energy of an electron as it moves away from the nucleus, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Potential Energy**:
- Potential energy in the context of an electron in an atom is related to its distance from the nucleus. The closer the electron is to the nucleus, the lower its potential energy.

2. **Graphical Representation**:
- If we plot a graph with potential energy on the y-axis and the distance from the nucleus (or inter-nuclear distance) on the x-axis, we can visualize how potential energy changes with distance.

3. **Equilibrium Distance**:
- There is a specific point known as the equilibrium distance (R0) where the potential energy is at its minimum. This is the most stable configuration for the electron.

4. **Moving Away from the Nucleus**:
- As the electron moves away from the nucleus, it is important to note that the potential energy increases. This is because the electron is moving to a position of higher energy, which is less stable compared to being closer to the nucleus.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, as the electron moves away from the nucleus, its potential energy increases.

### Final Answer:
As the electron moves away from the nucleus, its potential energy **increases**.

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