Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the difference between the first ionization energy and the second ionization energy of an element?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Trend: Successive Ionization Energies
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Which of the following elements has the largest second ionization energy?
A
Mg
B
Al
C
Na
D
K
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand what second ionization energy means: it is the energy required to remove the second electron from an atom after the first electron has already been removed.
Recall the electron configurations of the elements after the first electron is removed, because the second ionization energy depends on the stability of the resulting ion.
For each element, write the electron configuration of the neutral atom and then the configuration after the first electron is removed (forming the +1 ion).
Consider the stability of the resulting +1 ion: removing an electron from a stable, noble gas-like configuration requires significantly more energy, leading to a higher second ionization energy.
Compare the second ionization energies based on these configurations and stability considerations to determine which element has the largest second ionization energy.
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