Explain why the trend in ionisation energy changes between group 5 and 6

Group 5 and 6 have a different electronic structure, with group 6 having one extra electron that group 5.

If we look at Hunds rule, which states that electrons must occupy orbitals individually before pairing up. This is crucial in the P orbitals in which there are 3. (X, Y and Z) taking oxygen and nitrogen for example nitrogen is in group 5. It has 3 electrons in its P orbitals, thus one electron is each orbital. Oxygen is in group 6, with 4 electrons in the P orbitals. The first orbital has 2 electrons and the other two have 1 electron.

We know electrons are negative so in that first orbital of oxygen they must repel. This makes it easier to remove this electron so the energy required decreases. The general trend of ionisation energies is for it to increase across a period.

KR
Answered by Kavita R. Chemistry tutor

20019 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

0.250 g of a hydrocarbon known to contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen was subject to complete combustion and produced 0.3664 g of CO2 and 0.1500 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of this hydrocarbon?


Draw [Cu(H2O)6]2+ and explain why is it blue in colour.


What is electronegativity?


Explain the decrease in reactivity of Group 2 elements as you go down the periodic table


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning