Which statement compares the energy of an electron in the third shell of a rubidium atom to 7 the energy of an electron in a different shell of the same atom?

Regents Chemistry Exam June 2025 Question 1

2  Which statement compares the energy of an electron in the third shell of a rubidium atom to 7 the energy of an electron in a different shell of the same atom?

(1)  An electron in the third shell has less energy than an electron in the second shell.

(2)  An electron in the third shell has less energy than an electron in the first shell.

(3)  An electron in the third shell has more energy than an electron in the first shell.

(4)  An electron in the third shell has more energy than an electron in the fifth shell.

Solution:

The higher the shell that the electron is in, the higher its energy. An electron in the third shell should have more energy than an electron in the first shell. Choice number 3 is the correct answer.

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