The successive ionization energies for a certain element X are listed below:…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Periodicity and periodic trends · Periodicity and periodic trends
Problem
The successive ionization energies for a certain element X are listed below:
Ionization step (kJ mol−1):
1st – 577 2nd – 1816 3rd – 2745 4th – 11 000
(a) Identify the ionization step in which the electron is removed from a different principal energy level than the electrons removed in the preceding steps. Explain how the data support your answer.
(b) Using electrostatic reasoning, rank the attractive forces experienced by the electrons removed in the first four ionization steps from greatest to least.
(c) Deduce the ground-state electron configuration of neutral element X.
(d) Identify element X and justify your choice using information from parts (a)–(c).