Question

Write equations that show the processes that describe the first, second, and third ionization energies for a gaseous gadolinium atom. Express your answers as chemical equations separated by commas. Identify all of the phases in your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

Gd(g) → $Gd^{+}(g) + e^{-}$ , $Gd^{+}(g)$→ $Gd^{2+}(g) + e^{-}$, $Gd^{2+}(g)$ → $Gd^{3+}(g) + e^{-}$

Explanation:

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion.

The first ionization energy is the energy required to remove the valence electron(outermost) from a neutral atom:

Gd(g)→ $Gd^{+}(g) + e^{-}$

The second ionization energy is the energy required to remove next/second electron from $x^{+}$ ion. The second ionization energy is always higher than the first:

$Gd^{+}$(g) → $Gd^{2+}(g) + e^{-}$

The third ionization energy is the energy required to remove third electron from $x^{2+}$ ion:

$Gd^{2+}$(g) → $Gd^{3+}(g) + e^{-}$