Explain why the first ionization energy of sodium is less than that of magnesium?

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from an atom. As the nuclear charge of an atom increases and the size of an atom decreases, the ionization energy increases, as more energy is required to remove an electron. Magnesium atom has a smaller radius and higher nuclear charge than a sodium atom, thus more energy will be required to remove the electron from the same orbital (3s), making the first ionisation energy of magnesium higher than that of sodium.

Answered by Mia K. Chemistry tutor

46043 Views

See similar Chemistry IB tutors

Related Chemistry IB answers

All answers ▸

What is a difference between gas and liquid and solid on a molecular level?


There are three halogenoalkanes with halogens F, Br and I. Each undergo an SN2 reaction. How does the rate of reaction differ between the three halogenoalkanes?


Why does potassium react more readily in water than sodium?


I don't understand how to calculate initial rates of reaction based on experimental data


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences