Question

how does the energy of an electron change when the electron moves closer to the nucleus?
it doubles.
it decreases.
it increases.
it stays the same.

Explanation:

Electrons in an atom have different energy levels. When an electron moves closer to the nucleus, it is in a lower - energy orbital. The energy of an electron is related to its distance from the nucleus. As the distance decreases (moving closer), the energy of the electron decreases. This is because the attraction between the negatively - charged electron and the positively - charged nucleus is stronger when the electron is closer, and the electron is in a more stable (lower - energy) state.

Answer:

It decreases.