Question

Explain why it takes more energy to remove the second electron from a lithium atom than it does to remove the fourth electron from a carbon atom.

Answer 1

It takes more energy to remove the second electron from a lithium atom than it does to remove the fourth electron from a carbon atom because its inner core e, not valence e. C's 4th removed e is still a valence e. And also because more nuclear charge acting on the second electron, it is more close to the nucleus, thus the the protons attract it more than the 4th electron.

Answer 2

The energy required to remove second electron from lithium is more as compared to removing fourth electron from carbon

EXPLANATION:

The amount of energy required to remove an electron from an isolated atom is called as ionization energy of the electron.

The second ionization energy of lithium atom is more as compared to fourth ionization energy of carbon atom. It is so because the second electron which is to be emitted from the K-shell of lithium atom, is tightly bound by the nucleus as the orbit is very closer to the nucleus.

In case of carbon, the fourth electron is present in the valence shell.The radius of valence shell is not so close as compared to lithium.The screening effect is also more for carbon as compared to lithium.

Hence, the energy required to remove a second electron from lithium is more that the energy required to remove fourth electron from carbon.