Question

Based on their positions in the periodic table, predict which atom of the following pairs will have the smaller first ionization energy:

(a) Cl, Ar;

(b) Be, Ca;

(c) K, Co;

(d) S, Ge;

(e) Sn, Te.

Answer 1

The energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom is called its ionization energy. So the elements that give off electrons easily have low ionization energies and the ones that do not lose easily have higher ionization energies.

 

So here , the atom with smaller first ionization energy will be :

 

a) Cl

b) Ca

c) K

d) Ge

e) Sn

The energy required to remove an electron from the outermost shell of an atom is called its ionization energy.