Answer to Question #25125 in Inorganic Chemistry for elenoa

Question

Explain why the first ionization energy of transition elements are of similar?
Why does lithium have a much lower first ionization than helium?
Arrange the atoms of Cs,Mg,N and F in order of increasing:
a)electronegativity
b)atomic size
c)ionization energy

Answer 1

Explain why the first ionization energy of transition elements are of similar?

The first ionisation energy of transition elements increases due to the increase in the nuclear charge with atomic number at the beginning of the series. Gradually, the shielding effect of the added electrons also increases. This shielding effect tends to decrease the attraction due to the nuclear charge.This decreasing causes some decreasing of first ionisation energy. These two opposing factors acts to make first ionization energy of transition elements so similar.

Why does lithium have a much lower first ionization than helium?

Helium has a much higher first ionisation energy than lithium because the outer electron for lithium is in the next sub-shell (s sub shell) which is further from the nucleus, so the electron is less attracted to the nucleus and is more easily removed. The atoms of Cs, Mg, N are arranged in order of increasing electronegativity.