Why does the first ionisation energy increase across period 3?

The 1st ionisation energy is defined as the energy required to remove the outermost electron from one mole of gaseous atoms, forming one mole of gaseous 1+ ions. Moving from left to right the proton number increases across a period, therefore the nucleus becomes more positively charged. This increasing positive charge creates greater nuclear attraction between the positively charged nucleus and the negatively charges outermost electrons. Therefore more energy is required to remove these electrons from the atom. In the third period all of the outermost electrons occupy the third shell so electron shielding is constant and will not affect the ionisation energy. Referring back to the Definition of 1st ionisation, if the energy to remove the outermost electron increases then so to does the 1st ionisation energy.

Answered by Hamish P. Chemistry tutor

1737 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

An alcohol, X has an Mr of 74 and percentage composition of 64.9% Carbon, 13.5% Hydrogen and 21.6% Oxygen. It does not turn potassium dichromate (VI) green. Determine the structural formula of X, and state its name.


State the element in period 3 that has the highest melting point and explain your answer.


Why do the boiling points of the hydrogen halides increase as you go down the group from HCl to HI?


Explain and draw the mechanism of the nucleophillic substitution reaction between bromoethane and aqueous sodium hydroxide. How is this reaction different to the elimination reaction which may occur?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences