Question

A certain main-group element exhibits the following successive ionization energies in kJ/mol: IE1 = 100; IE2 = 300; IE3 = 700; IE4 = 3100; IE5 = 4200 Select the false statement about this element below. 1) This element likely ionizes to form a cation when participating in ionic compound formation. 2)The highest-energy electron in an atom of this element resides in a p orbital. 3)This element has four valence electrons. 4)This element is likely a metallic element.

Answer 1

consider the given IE values

IE1 = 100

IE2 = 200

IE3 = 700

IE4 = 3100

IE5 = 4200

we can see that

IE1 is very very small

so

the atom can easily lose an electron

that is it easily forms a cation

and the one that easily forms a cation are likely metallic elements

now

we can see that

the first three ionization energies are very small

so

those electrons can be easily lost by the atom

now

there is a very big jump between IE3 and IE4

it means that

the fourth electron is very tough or impossible to remove from the atom

so

the atom has only 3 valenc electrons

so

option 3 is false