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

AP
Answered by Anjali P. Chemistry tutor

2263 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Can you explain the bond angle and shape of the molecule NH3?


How do I do redox calculations?


Alcohol A has the chemical formula CH3CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH3 . Give the IUPAC name for alcohol A.


Why is the first ionisation energy lower in barium compared to calcium?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning