Take the potential energy of a hydrogen atom to be zero for infinite separation of the electron and porton. Then the ground state energy of a hydrogen atom is -13.6 eV. The minus sign indicates:
A) the kinetic energy is negative
B) the potential energy is positive
C) the electron might escape from the atom
D) the electron and proton are bound together
E) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The minus sign indicates that the electron is bound to the proton in a hydrogen atom, which means that they are attracting each other due to their opposite charges. If the potential energy were positive, it would mean that the electron and proton would be repelling each other and not bound together. The fact that the ground state energy is negative confirms that the electron and proton are indeed bound together in the hydrogen atom. Choice A is incorrect because the kinetic energy of the electron in the ground state of a hydrogen atom is also negative (-13.6 eV), but this is not indicated by the minus sign in the ground state energy. Choice B is incorrect because, as mentioned above, a positive potential energy would mean that the electron and proton are not bound together. Choice C is incorrect because the ground state of a hydrogen atom is a stable configuration and the electron cannot escape without absorbing energy.

Take the Potential Energy of a Hydrogen Atom to Be