Why does ionisation energy increase across a period?

As you go across the period, the nuclear charge (or number of protons increase) but the shielding (or the number of shells) stays the same as all of the elements are on the same period. This causes the nuclear attraction between the nucleus (that is positive) and outermost electron (that is negative) to increase, so the distance between them, also called the atomic radius, decreases.This attraction makes it harder to lose that electron and so the energy to remove it (the ionisation energy) increases as you go across the period

Answered by Anjali P. Chemistry tutor

1560 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why can both major and minor products be formed during an eimination reaction?


Explain the position and numbering system of elements on the periodic table.


At what temperature does the reaction become feasible? When ΔH = 492.7 kJmol^-1 and ΔS = 542.6 JK^-1mol^-1.


Please give the definition of Le Chatilier's principle. Use this to explain what would happen if you increased the temperature of an equilibrium in which the forwards reaction is exothermic.


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