Welcome to PF!IAmAnthony said:
Electrons are subatomic particles that have a negative charge and are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom.
Being bound to the nucleus means that the electrons are held in place by the attractive force between their negative charge and the positive charge of the protons in the nucleus.
No, not all electrons are bound to the nucleus. In some atoms, the electrons in the outermost energy level, known as the valence electrons, are not tightly bound and can be easily removed.
Electrons stay bound to the nucleus due to the balance between the attractive force of the positive nucleus and the repulsive force of other electrons. Additionally, electrons also have a certain amount of energy that keeps them in orbit around the nucleus.
Yes, electrons can become unbound from the nucleus through processes such as ionization or excitation. These processes involve adding or removing energy from the electron, allowing it to break free from the attractive force of the nucleus.