An Electron Loses Potential Energy When It

Question

An electron loses potential energy when it
A)shifts to a less electronegative atom.
B)shifts to a more electronegative atom.
C)increases its kinetic energy.
D)increases its activity as an oxidizing agent.
E)ᵐᵒᵛᵉˢ ᶠᵃʳᵗʰᵉʳ ᵃʷᵃʸ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵘᶜˡᵉᵘˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵃᵗᵒᵐ.

Accepted Answer

An electron loses potential energy when it shifts to a more electronegative atom, as it moves closer to the nucleus and becomes more stable. Moving to a less electronegative atom would require gaining potential energy, increasing kinetic energy or decreasing activity as an oxidizing agent would not necessarily result in a loss of potential energy, and moving further away from the nucleus would also require gaining potential energy.