Which of the electrons in the following orbitals will experience the greatest nuclear attraction?
Answer Details
The nuclear attraction experienced by an electron depends on the distance between the electron and the nucleus and the number of protons in the nucleus. The greater the number of protons in the nucleus, the greater the nuclear attraction experienced by an electron.
Therefore, out of the given options, the 1s electron of helium will experience the greatest nuclear attraction since it has the smallest atomic number and the least distance from the nucleus. The 1s electron of potassium will have the least nuclear attraction since it has the largest atomic number and the greatest distance from the nucleus. The 2s electron of carbon and the 2p electron of boron will have intermediate nuclear attraction.