What are bound electrons?

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Bound electrons refer to electrons that are associated with an atom and are confined within its electric field. These electrons are part of the atomic structure and occupy specific energy levels or orbits around the nucleus.

When electrons are found in the inner orbit of an atom, they are typically closer to the nucleus and are more tightly bound due to the strong electrostatic attraction between the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons. This makes them less likely to escape the atom under normal conditions.

In contrast, electrons in the outermost orbit, also known as valence electrons, are more loosely bound and can participate in chemical bonding. Uncharged electrons and ionized electrons are not considered bound electrons because uncharged electrons do not exist freely in the context of atomic structure, and ionized electrons have left their atomic structure entirely.

Thus, the concept of bound electrons is closely linked to their location within the orbits of an atom and how strongly they are held by the nucleus.

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