Question

electrons tend to have more potential energy when ____. see section 8.1. they are in electron shells far from the nucleus they are in electron shells close to the nucleus they are in the nucleus they are close to protons

Explanation:

Electrons in electron shells far from the nucleus have more potential energy. This is because electrons in outer shells are less tightly bound to the nucleus (due to the shielding effect and increased distance from the positive - charge of the nucleus). As the distance from the nucleus (which has protons with positive charge) increases, the electrostatic potential energy (which is related to the position of the electron in the electric field of the nucleus) of the electron increases. Electrons in shells close to the nucleus are more tightly bound and have lower potential energy. Electrons are not in the nucleus (protons and neutrons are in the nucleus), and just being close to protons (in the nucleus) does not give them more potential energy; it's the distance from the nucleus (where the protons are located) that is key.

Answer:

they are in electron shells far from the nucleus