Question

details
no additional details were added for this assignment.
edpuzzle
how do atoms reach their lowest energy?
by having a balance between attractive and repulsive forces
by giving off light
by orbiting the sun
by being radioactive

Explanation:

Atoms reach their lowest - energy state when there is a balance between the attractive forces (such as the electromagnetic force attracting electrons to the nucleus) and repulsive forces (such as electron - electron repulsion). Giving off light is a result of an atom transitioning from a higher to a lower energy state but not the mechanism by which it reaches the lowest energy. Atoms do not orbit the sun (planets do), and radioactivity is related to the instability of the nucleus and not the process of reaching the lowest - energy state for an atom.

Answer:

By having a balance between attractive and repulsive forces