Question

which of the following situations results from the transfer of an electron to a more electronegative atom?
○ the electron loses potential energy.
○ the electron gains potential energy.
○ the electron gains kinetic energy.
○ the electron oxidizes the more electronegative atom.

Explanation:

1. Recall the concept of electronegativity and energy in electron transfer: A more electronegative atom has a stronger pull on electrons. When an electron moves to a more electronegative atom, it is moving to a more stable (lower energy) state.
2. Analyze potential energy: Potential energy is related to the position in a force field. Since the more electronegative atom attracts the electron, the electron's potential energy decreases (loses potential energy) as it moves towards the more electronegative atom (similar to an object falling in a gravitational field, losing gravitational potential energy).
3. Analyze other options:

• "The electron gains potential energy" is incorrect because moving to a more electronegative atom (stronger attraction) lowers energy, not increases it.
• "The electron gains kinetic energy" is not directly related to this transfer in terms of the primary energy change here (the main change is potential energy, and kinetic energy isn't the key factor in this context of electron - atom attraction - based energy change).
• "The electron oxidizes the more electronegative atom" is incorrect. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, and the more electronegative atom is being reduced (gaining electrons), not oxidized by the electron.

Answer:

The electron loses potential energy.