Question

the first three ionization energies of an element x are 590, 1145, and 4912 kj mol-1. what is the most likely formula of the compound formed between the stable ion of x and sulfite.

Answer 1

Answer: The chemical formula is $XSO_3$

Explanation:

Ionization energy is defined as the amount of energy that is required to remove an electron from a chemical species.

The ionization energy equation for the given values follow:

$X(g)\rightarrow X^+(g)+e^-;E_I=590kJ/mol$

$X^+(g)\rightarrow X^{2+}(g)+e^-;E_I=1145kJ/mol$

$X^{2+}(g)\rightarrow X^{3+}(g)+e^-;E_I=4912kJ/mol$

From the values of ionization energy above, it can be seen that the ionization energy increases as every succeeding electron is removed.

Second ionization energy is a little higher than the first one but there is a huge amount of difference between the third and second ionization energy.

This implies that the ion formed during second ionization energy has a stable configuration and it requires a humongous amount of heat to release the third electron.

Hence, the ion formed will be $X^{2+}$

Sulfite ion is a polyatomic ion having a chemical formula of $SO_3^{2-}$

An ionic compound is formed between the two ions and the chemical compound formed between the two will have a formula of $XSO_3$

Hence, the chemical formula is $XSO_3$