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How Do Electron Shells Affect Ionization Energy Trends Across Periods?

Ionization energy is the energy needed to remove an electron from an atom. This energy gets stronger as you move across a period on the periodic table, and here’s why:

  1. Nuclear Charge: When we add more protons to an atom, the positive charge in the nucleus goes up. This means that the pull on the electrons is stronger, making it harder to take an electron away.

  2. Electron Shells: As we add more electrons, they fill up the same shell. Since there aren’t many other electrons in between to block the pull from the nucleus, the ionization energy becomes higher.

  3. Trends:

    • In Period 2, the ionization energy increases from Lithium (Li) with 520 kJ/mol to Neon (Ne) with 2080 kJ/mol.
    • In Period 3, it goes from Sodium (Na) with 495 kJ/mol to Argon (Ar) with 1521 kJ/mol.

These trends show how the stronger pull from the nucleus works against the push from other electrons. This balance affects how much energy is needed to remove an electron.

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How Do Electron Shells Affect Ionization Energy Trends Across Periods?

Ionization energy is the energy needed to remove an electron from an atom. This energy gets stronger as you move across a period on the periodic table, and here’s why:

  1. Nuclear Charge: When we add more protons to an atom, the positive charge in the nucleus goes up. This means that the pull on the electrons is stronger, making it harder to take an electron away.

  2. Electron Shells: As we add more electrons, they fill up the same shell. Since there aren’t many other electrons in between to block the pull from the nucleus, the ionization energy becomes higher.

  3. Trends:

    • In Period 2, the ionization energy increases from Lithium (Li) with 520 kJ/mol to Neon (Ne) with 2080 kJ/mol.
    • In Period 3, it goes from Sodium (Na) with 495 kJ/mol to Argon (Ar) with 1521 kJ/mol.

These trends show how the stronger pull from the nucleus works against the push from other electrons. This balance affects how much energy is needed to remove an electron.

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