In: Chemistry
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?
The element is in the second group. The element is a member of alkaline earth metals.
This can be understood very easily from the ionization energies. Kindly note that the 3rd and 4th ionization energy is much higher than that of the first and second. This is clear evidence that, these two electrons are in the inner shell. Or valence shell contains only two electrons.
This element is Be and it is in alkaline earth family.