Electrons move around the nucleus in orbits. Why do they not fly away from the atom? Class 9

Electrons move around the nucleus in orbits. Why do they not fly away from the atom? Class 9

Question 1.

Electrons move around the nucleus in orbits. Why do they not fly away from the atom? Explain what keeps them attracted to the nucleus. Class 9

Answer:

Electrons do not fly away from the atom because they are held in place by the electrostatic force of attraction between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons in the nucleus. This attractive force acts like the force that keeps a planet in orbit around the Sun - it continuously pulls the electron towards the nucleus, preventing it from flying away in a straight line.

According to Bohr's model, electrons revolve in fixed circular orbits (stationary states). In these fixed orbits, the centripetal force needed to keep the electron moving in a circle is provided by the electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus. As long as the electron remains in its allowed orbit, it does not lose energy and does not fly away or fall inward.

Thus, the attractive electrostatic force between the oppositely charged electron and nucleus is what keeps the electron orbiting and prevents it from flying away.