Ionization enthalpy is the minimum energy needed to remove an electron from a gaseous
atom, transforming it into a positively charged ion (cation)
In general successive ionization energies always increase as the electrons to be removed
get closer to the nucleus, there is a strong attraction between nucleus and electron,
therefore more energy is required to remove the next electron.
Factors responsible for ionization energies:
(i) Atomic size or radius:
Ionization energy is inversely proportional to the atomic size of the element i.e. higher the
atomic size of the element, lower will be its ionization energy and vice versa. As the
distance of the outer shell electron increases from the atomic nucleus, the attractive force
decreases and the outer electrons are loosely held.
(ii) Shielding effect or number of intervening electrons or screening:
The shielding effect (or screening effect) is the phenomenon in an atom where inner-shell
electrons reduce the effective nuclear charge experienced by outer-shell (valence)
electrons.. The penultimate shell electrons repel the valence shell electrons to keep them
loosely held with the nucleus. Evidently, greater the shielding effect, lesser is the effective
nuclear charge and lesser is the ionization effect.
(iii) Nuclear charge:
The greater the effective nuclear charge, the more strongly the electrons are held
on by the nucleus. More energy is required to remove the electron and consequently higher
is the ionization energy and vice versa.
(iv) Penetration effect:
The penetration effect is the ability of an electron in a given orbital to approach or get close
to the nucleus. Greater penetration means the electron experiences a stronger effective
nuclear charge (Zeff). The order of penetration is: s > p > d > f
(v) Electronic configuration
Stable the configuration of an atom, it is Difficult to lose an electron from its valence shell
and hence higher will be the value of ionization energy.
Stability order configuration is
Completely filled shell (K.L.M.N...) > Completely filled sub-shell(s2,p,d10f14)> Half filled
sub-shell (s', p', d,f') > Partially filled sub-shell
The first ionization of noble gases is higher than that of halog Explain.
Ans: The noble gas have stable electronic configuration so it is very difficult to remove the
electron from their outermost orbit. Thus, they have highest ionization energy. Whereas
halogens have unstable electronic configuration as compared to noble gas and it is easy to
remove the outermost electrons. Hence, the first ionization energy of noble gas is greater
than that of halogen.
"The ionization energy of Na+ is more than that of Ne although both have same electronic
configuration ", explain why?
Ans: Although Na* and Ne have same electronic configuration (iso-electronic species) but
the nuclear charge in Nat is more than in Ne. Hence, the electrons are more tightly held in
Na+ and it has higher ionization energy.
