Final answer:
The electrostatic forces between electrons and the nucleus in an atom are governed by Coulomb's law. The positive charge of the nucleus attracts the negatively charged electrons, creating an electrostatic force that keeps the electrons in orbit around the nucleus. These forces are responsible for holding the electrons in orbit and maintaining the stability of the atom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electrostatic forces between electrons and the nucleus in an atom are governed by Coulomb's law. This law states that the force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In an atom, the positive charge of the nucleus attracts the negatively charged electrons, creating an electrostatic force that keeps the electrons in orbit around the nucleus.
For example, in a hydrogen atom, which has one proton in the nucleus and one electron orbiting it, the electrostatic force between the proton and electron keeps the electron confined to a certain distance from the nucleus. If the electron gets too close to the nucleus, the electrostatic force becomes stronger, pulling the electron back. If the electron moves away from the nucleus, the electrostatic force becomes weaker, causing the electron to be pulled back towards the nucleus.
In summary, the electrostatic forces between electrons and the nucleus in an atom are responsible for holding the electrons in orbit around the nucleus and maintaining the stability of the atom.