The energy of an electron in the ground state of $H$ atom is $- 13.6 e V$ .

The negative sign indicates that:

electrons are negatively charged

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H

atom is more stable than a free electron

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energy of the electron in the H atom is lower than that of a free electron

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work must be done to make a

H

atom from a free electron and proton

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Solution

The correct option is C energy of the electron in the H atom is lower than that of a free electron
The energy level of an electron in a hydrogen atom is - 13.6 eV in ground state. It has a negative sign because we take the energy of a free electron ( at infinite distance from the nucleus of the atom) to be zero, so naturally, when the electron approaches the nucleus, it's energy decreases as it gets to a more stable state and thus it attains a negative value. So, the negative sign signifies the relative energy of the electron concerning a free electron. (similar to how gravitational potential is conventionally taken negatively)

Hence, the correct option is $C$

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The energy of an electron in the ground state of H atom is −13.6eV.The negative sign indicates that:

The energy of an electron in the ground state of $H$ atom is $- 13.6 e V$ .

The negative sign indicates that: