Element M shows a much larger increase between its fifth and sixth ionization…
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Periodicity and periodic trends · Periodicity and periodic trends
Problem
Element M shows a much larger increase between its fifth and sixth ionization energies than between any other consecutive ionizations. Which of the following best explains this observation?
(a) The large jump occurs because the sixth electron removed is paired with another in the same orbital, and the repulsion between the two electrons increases the energy required.
(b) Removing the sixth electron leaves the ion with a half-filled subshell, a particularly stable arrangement, so additional energy is needed.
(c) The sixth electron removed is the first taken from a lower principal energy level that is closer to the nucleus, so it experiences a greater effective nuclear charge.
(d) After five electrons have been removed, the ion has attained a noble-gas electron configuration; disrupting this stable configuration by removing another electron requires much more energy.