Answer to Question #126556 in General Chemistry for Mary Adams

Question

The first ionization energy of Aluminium is 580 kJ/mol whereas its second ionization energy is 1815 kJ/mol. Explain the differences in the ionization energy

Answer 1

The ionization energy refers to the energy required to remove an electron from an ion or a gaseous atom. The first ionization energy refers to the energy utilized in removing the first elector from an ion or an atom. The second electron is removed from the atom using the second ionization energy. In most cases, the first electron to be removed from the atom or an ion is loosely attached to the nucleus. Therefore more energy is required to remove the second electron as compared to the energy utilized in removing the first electron.

For this reason, the first ionization energy of Aluminium is less ( 580 kJ/mol) than its second ionization energy is 1815 kJ/mol.