Question

Consider the following electron configurations to answer the questions that follow: (i) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 (ii) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 (iii) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1 (iv) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 (v) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5 The electron configuration belonging to the atom with the highest second ionization energy is ________.

Answer 1

Option (i) would have the highest 2nd Ionization Energy.

Option (i) is Sodium.

Can be Written as 2, 8 , 1

For its 1st Ionization energy... It'd be extremely easy to remove that Electron cos its on the outermost shell.

Now After Removing that Electron...

Sodium's Electronic Configuration Reduces to that of Neon Which is 2, 8.

Neon has a very stable Octet.

It would take an ENORMOUS amount of energy to break its Octet stability... that is... Remove 1 electron from its Octet.

So

Option (i) [Sodium] has the highest 2nd Ionization Energy