As higher values of n are considered for orbits in a hydrogen atom, the electric potential energy of the atom

Step-by-step solution

The electric potential energy of an electron in the n -th orbit of a hydrogen atom is given by U = - 1 4 ₀ e^2 r_n . The radius of the n -th orbit is directly proportional to the square of the principal quantum number, r_n n^2 . Substituting this relation, we get U - 1 n^2 . As n increases, the magnitude 1 n^2 decreases. Due to the negative sign, the overall value of the potential energy becomes less negative, which means it increases. Therefore, as higher values of n are considered, the electric potential energy o