The successive ionization energies for an unknown element are:

IE₁ = 896 kJ/mol IE₂ = 1752 kJ/mol IE₃ = 14,807 kJ/mol IE₄ = 17,948 kJ/mol

To which family in the periodic table does the unknown element most likely belong?

• A. 1A
• B. 2A
• C. 3A
• D. 4A
• E. 5A