https://www.quora.com/profile/Bravewarrior/p-139198649 Here is the question. The answer is 2nd,3rd and 10th,11th. For some reason I don't get it so can someone please explain how this is the correct answer? Thank you!
https://www.quora.com/profile/Bravewarrior/p-139198649 Here is the question. The answer is 2nd,3rd and 10th,11th. For some reason I don't get it so can someone please explain how this is the correct answer? Thank you!
You should notice that there is a massive jump between the 3rd and 4th ionization energies. This large jump corresponds to moving from one energy level to a level closer to the nucleus. That means that the 3rd ionization finished the energy shell, so that the 2nd and 3rd ionizations must have been the removal of the last two 's' electrons. Remember that electrons are removed from the outside in, as the highest energy electrons are the furthest from the nucleus and the easiest to remove. If you write out the order that the electrons fill up around an atom (Aufbau) then the reverse is the order of removal of electrons:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (you can't apply the same logic once 'd' electrons are involved, as the 4s electrons are always the first lost)
To arrive at ionizations 10th and 11th you simply add 8 as there are 8 electrons in a full energy shell.
You should notice that there is a massive jump between the 3rd and 4th ionization energies. This large jump corresponds to moving from one energy level to a level closer to the nucleus. That means that the 3rd ionization finished the energy shell, so that the 2nd and 3rd ionizations must have been the removal of the last two 's' electrons. Remember that electrons are removed from the outside in, as the highest energy electrons are the furthest from the nucleus and the easiest to remove. If you write out the order that the electrons fill up around an atom (Aufbau) then the reverse is the order of removal of electrons:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (you can't apply the same logic once 'd' electrons are involved, as the 4s electrons are always the first lost)
To arrive at ionizations 10th and 11th you simply add 8 as there are 8 electrons in a full energy shell.