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Ionization Energy

We see trends in ionization energy across the periods and down the groups of the periodic table.

Periodic trend

Periodic trend

  • Ionization energy increases along a period.
    • This is because the electrostatic attraction of each electron to the nucleus increases.
    • The attraction increases because the proton number increases.
Periodic example

Periodic example

  • In Period 3, chlorine has a greater nuclear charge than sulfur because it has a greater proton number.
  • So the electrostatic charge between electrons and the nucleus in chlorine will be greater.
    • So the ionization energy is greater.
Group trend

Group trend

  • Ionization energy decreases down a group.
    • This is because the outer electron is further from the nucleus down the group.
    • The electrostatic attraction of the outer electron to the nucleus decreases down the group.
Group example

Group example

  • In Group 2, magnesium is below beryllium.
    • Magnesium fills up an extra electron shell than beryllium.
    • This means an electron is further from the nucleus in magnesium and so the electrostatic attraction is less.
      • So the ionization energy of magnesium is lower than beryllium.
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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