Which explains the change in ionization energy that occurs between removing the first and second electrons from an atom?

a. The ionization energy decreases because the ratio of the protons to electrons increases.

b. The ionization energy increases because the ratio of the protons to electrons increases.

c. The ionization energy decreases because the ratio of the protons to electrons decreases.

d. The ionization energy increases because the ratio of the protons to electrons decreases.

Question

Chemistry

Mckinley

4 September, 14:10

Which explains the change in ionization energy that occurs between removing the first and second electrons from an atom?

a. The ionization energy decreases because the ratio of the protons to electrons increases.

b. The ionization energy increases because the ratio of the protons to electrons increases.

c. The ionization energy decreases because the ratio of the protons to electrons decreases.

d. The ionization energy increases because the ratio of the protons to electrons decreases.

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Answers (1)

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Desirae Coffey · Answer 1

Answer: option b. The ionization energy increases because the ratio of the protons to electrons increases.

Justification:

Ionization energy is defined as the energy required to remove one electron from a gaseous atom.

The second ionization energy is the ionization energy to remove a second electron.

Once you have removed one electron from the atom, since the number of protons is the same, the ratio of protons to electrons increases and the electrons remaining feel more atracted to the nucleus, making it harder to remove a second electron, leading to a second ionization energy higher than the first ionization energy.