Energy of electron vs. distance from nucleus?

Question

I asked this before but I got conflicting answers.

Does the Energy of an electron increase or decrease as it's distance increases from the nucleus.

At zero energy the electron has been completely separated.

It is easier to remove an electron that is far away from the nucleus.

And When an electron absorbs electromagnetic radiation the energy absorbed causes it to increase an energy level.

If someone could "tie" all those concepts I would very very much appreciate it.

I've been trying to understand the Bohr model whose equation E = -Rh/n^2

Where z is the charge = 1. z^2/n^2 = 1 and Rh is a constant

But what I don't understand is the if the energy increases why is it easier to pull of an electron.

Again thanks for all the aforementioned help. I've looked in my chem book/review book. Just haven't found a clear definition.

Charles M · Accepted Answer

The more energy the electron has, the further it is from the atom's nucleus.  Because they have higher energies, it is easier for them to "run off" with some other atom.  This is seen easily in Bohr's work.  

Think of it this way: opposite charges attract.  It is far easier for the nucleus to hold on to those electrons closer in than the ones farther out.  They travel in smaller orbits, and have less energy the closer they are to the nucleus.

Anonymous · Answer

Higher energy level = farther away from the nucleus

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Energy of electron vs. distance from nucleus?

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