<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Ionisation energy

Ionisation energy is the energy that is needed to remove one electron from an atom. The ionisation energy will be different for different atoms.

The second ionisation energy is the energy that is needed to remove a second electron from an atom, and so on. As an energy level becomes more full, it becomes more and more difficult to remove an electron and the ionisation energy increases . On the Periodic Table of the Elements, a group is a vertical column of the elements, and a period is a horizontal row. In the periodic table, ionisation energy increases across a period, but decreases as you move down a group. The lower the ionisation energy, the more reactive the element will be because there is a greater chance of electrons being involved in chemical reactions. We will look at this in more detail in the next section.

Refer to the data table below which gives the ionisation energy (in kJ · mol - 1 ) and atomic number (Z) for a number of elements in the periodic table:

Z Ionisation energy Z Ionisation energy
1 1310 10 2072
2 2360 11 494
3 517 12 734
4 895 13 575
5 797 14 783
6 1087 15 1051
7 1397 16 994
8 1307 17 1250
9 1673 18 1540
  1. Draw a line graph to show the relationship between atomic number (on the x-axis) and ionisation energy (y-axis).
  2. Describe any trends that you observe.
  3. Explain why...
    1. the ionisation energy for Z = 2 is higher than for Z = 1
    2. the ionisation energy for Z = 3 is lower than for Z = 2
    3. the ionisation energy increases between Z = 5 and Z = 7

Khan academy video on periodic table - 2

By now you should have an appreciation of what the periodic table can tell us. The periodic table does not just list the elements, but tells chemists what the properties of elements are, how the elements will combine and many other useful facts. The periodic table is truly an amazing resource. Into one simple table, chemists have packed so many facts and data that can easily be seen with a glance. The periodic table is a crucial part of chemistry and you should never go to science class without it.

The following presentation provides a summary of the periodic table

Summary

  • Elements are arranged in periods and groups on the periodic table. The elements are arranged according to increasing atomic number.
  • A group is a column on the periodic table containing elements with similar properties. A period is a row on the periodic table.
  • The groups on the periodic table are labeled from 1 to 8. The first group is known as the alkali metals, the second group is known as the alkali earth metals, the seventh group is known as the halogens and the eighth group is known as the noble gases. Each group has the same properties.
  • Several trends such as ionisation energy and atomic diameter can be seen across the periods of the periodic table
  • An ion is a charged atom. A cation is a positively charged ion and an anion is a negatively charged ion.
  • When forming an ion, an atom will lose or gain the number of electrons that will make its valence energy level full.
  • An element's ionisation energy is the energy that is needed to remove one electron from an atom.
  • Ionisation energy increases across a period in the periodic table.
  • Ionisation energy decreases down a group in the periodic table.

End of chapter exercises

  1. For the following questions state whether they are true or false. If they are false, correct the statement.
    1. The group 1 elements are sometimes known as the alkali earth metals.
    2. The group 2 elements tend to lose 2 electrons to form cations.
    3. The group 8 elements are known as the noble gases.
    4. Group 7 elements are very unreactive.
    5. The transition elements are found between groups 3 and 4.
  2. Give one word or term for each of the following:
    1. A positive ion
    2. The energy that is needed to remove one electron from an atom
    3. A horizontal row on the periodic table
    4. A very reactive group of elements that is missing just one electron from their outer shells.
  3. For each of the following elements give the ion that will be formed:
    1. sodium
    2. bromine
    3. magnesium
    4. oxygen
    Click here for the solution
  4. The following table shows the first ionisation energies for the elements of period 1 and 2.
    Period Element First ionisation energy ( kJ . mol - 1 )
    1 H 1312
    He 2372
    Li 520
    Be 899
    B 801
    C 1086
    2 N 1402
    O 1314
    F 1681
    Ne 2081
    1. What is the meaning of the term first ionisation energy ?
    2. Identify the pattern of first ionisation energies in a period.
    3. Which TWO elements exert the strongest attractive forces on their electrons? Use the data in the table to give a reason for your answer.
    4. Draw Aufbau diagrams for the TWO elements you listed in the previous question and explain why these elements are so stable.
    5. It is safer to use helium gas than hydrogen gas in balloons. Which property of helium makes it a safer option?
    6. 'Group 1 elements readily form positive ions'. Is this statement correct? Explain your answer by referring to the table.

Questions & Answers

what is mutation
Janga Reply
what is a cell
Sifune Reply
how is urine form
Sifune
what is antagonism?
mahase Reply
classification of plants, gymnosperm features.
Linsy Reply
what is the features of gymnosperm
Linsy
how many types of solid did we have
Samuel Reply
what is an ionic bond
Samuel
What is Atoms
Daprince Reply
what is fallopian tube
Merolyn
what is bladder
Merolyn
what's bulbourethral gland
Eduek Reply
urine is formed in the nephron of the renal medulla in the kidney. It starts from filtration, then selective reabsorption and finally secretion
onuoha Reply
State the evolution relation and relevance between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton as it relates to cell.
Jeremiah
what is heart
Konadu Reply
how is urine formed in human
Konadu
how is urine formed in human
Rahma
what is the diference between a cavity and a canal
Pelagie Reply
what is the causative agent of malaria
Diamond
malaria is caused by an insect called mosquito.
Naomi
Malaria is cause by female anopheles mosquito
Isaac
Malaria is caused by plasmodium Female anopheles mosquitoe is d carrier
Olalekan
a canal is more needed in a root but a cavity is a bad effect
Commander
what are pathogens
Don Reply
In biology, a pathogen (Greek: πάθος pathos "suffering", "passion" and -γενής -genēs "producer of") in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s.[1][2
Zainab
A virus
Commander
Definition of respiration
Muhsin Reply
respiration is the process in which we breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide
Achor
how are lungs work
Commander
where does digestion begins
Achiri Reply
in the mouth
EZEKIEL
what are the functions of follicle stimulating harmones?
Rashima Reply
stimulates the follicle to release the mature ovum into the oviduct
Davonte
what are the functions of Endocrine and pituitary gland
Chinaza
endocrine secrete hormone and regulate body process
Achor
while pituitary gland is an example of endocrine system and it's found in the Brain
Achor
what's biology?
Egbodo Reply
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized field that cover their morphology, physiology,anatomy, behaviour,origin and distribution.
Lisah
biology is the study of life.
Alfreda
Biology is the study of how living organisms live and survive in a specific environment
Sifune
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Chemistry grade 10 [caps]. OpenStax CNX. Jun 13, 2011 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11303/1.4
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Chemistry grade 10 [caps]' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask