Question

Which atom’s ionization energy is greater than that of phosphorus (P)? A. Ba B. K C. As D. Cl

Answer 1

Answer is: D. Cl (chlorine).

The ionization energy (Ei) is the minimum amount of energy required to remove the valence electron, when element lose electrons, oxidation number of element grows (oxidation process).

Barium, potassium and arsenic are metals (easily lost valence electrons), chlorine is nonmetal (easily gain electrons).

Alkaline metals (in this example, potassium) have lowest ionizations energy and easy remove valence electrons (one electron), earth alkaline metals (in this example, barium) have higher ionization energy than alkaline metals, because they have two valence electrons.

Nonmetals (in this example chlorine) are far right in the main group and they have highest ionization energy, because they have many valence electrons.