Question

why do you need less energy to pull out a electron if it's further away from the nucleus?

Answer 1

think that electrons are in different rings around the nucleus of an atom. The ones that are inside are pulled towards the nucleus more strongly( since they are closer to it) than the ones that are in the outer rings (since they are shielded by the inner rings). So, the pull that the outer rings feel is weaker than the ones inside, therefore, the ones in the outer rings require less energy.

Answer 2

*the pull that the electrons in the outer ring

Answer 3

I dont get it :/
Would it take more energy to remove a electron if its further away from the nucleus, and easier to remove a electron if its closer

Answer 4

less energy if its closer and more energy if its further

Answer 5

the term for "pulling out a electron" is "ionize", Dama28 explained sufficiently well i think. but to clarify, it's easier to remove if it's further away because the attraction the particles feel is less. Think of them as opposite poles of magnets (unipolar magnets), they attract each other until they're so far apart their fields can't interact