Element X has IE₁ = 590 kJ·mol⁻¹ and IE₂ = 1820 kJ·mol⁻¹

CHEMISTRY · Subjective · A Level · Chemistry · Periodicity and periodic trends · Periodicity and periodic trends

Problem

Element X has IE₁ = 590 kJ·mol⁻¹ and IE₂ = 1820 kJ·mol⁻¹, whereas element Y has IE₁ = 900 kJ·mol⁻¹ and IE₂ = 1760 kJ·mol⁻¹. Describe, in one sentence, why the relative jump from the first to the second ionization energy is greater for X than for Y.

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