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

2145 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

In the reaction CO(g) + 2H2(g) <--> CH3OH(g), explain why an increase in pressure increases the yield of methanol


How can I apply the knowledge I learn in lessons to tougher exam style questions ?


What is the order of decreasing acidity for the molecules phenol, ethanoic acid and ethanol? Why?


How does the oxidising power of the group 1 metals vary?


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