Question

Which of the following does not accurately describe the forces that exist with an atom?

A. Electrons closer to the nucleus and electrons farther from the nucleus repel due to like charges.
  B. Electrons in an atom are attracted to the protons within the nucleus due to opposite charges.
  C. Electrons positioned closer to the nucleus have a greater attraction to the protons and are more likely to be discharged from the atom than electrons farther away.
  D. Electrons positioned farther away from the nucleus are less attracted to the nucleus than are electrons positioned closer to the nucleus.

Answer 1

Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

An atom consists of three sub-atomic particles which are electrons, protons and neutrons.

As electrons are negatively charges, protons are positively charged and neutrons have no charge.

And since, electrons revolve around the nucleus (nucleus contains both protons and neutrons) so, there exists a strong force of attraction between the protons and electrons near the nucleus.

Hence, electrons near the nucleus are difficult to discharge.

Thus, we can conclude that the statement electrons positioned closer to the nucleus have a greater attraction to the protons and are more likely to be discharged from the atom than electrons farther away, does not accurately describe the forces that exist with an atom.

Answer 2

Answer: Electrons positioned closer to the nucleus have a greater attraction to the protons and are more likely to be discharged from the atom than electrons farther away.

Explanation: The electrons being negatively charged repel each other due to like charges. The protons being positively charged are attracted towards the negatively charged electrons.

The electrons which are near to nucleus are more tightly held by the protons and thus are more difficult to remove from the atom. The electrons which are far from the nucleus are less tightly held and are easily removed from the atom.