Question detail
What does a low first ionisation energy suggest about an element's reactivity?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atomic structure
Question
- A. The element is likely to be a noble gas.
- B. The element is likely to be very reactive.
- C. The element has a full outer shell.
- D. The element is a transition metal.
Answer
The element is likely to be very reactive.
Explanation
The evidence shows that elements with low first ionisation energies can easily lose their outer electrons. This indicates a tendency to react with other elements to achieve a stable electron configuration. The implication is that such elements are more likely to participate in chemical reactions. Therefore, the conclusion is that a low first ionisation energy is associated with high reactivity.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Ionisation Energy Trends
Students often confuse the trends in first and successive ionisation energies, failing to recognize that successive ionisation energies increase due to the removal of electrons from an increasingly positive ion.
To fix this, students should focus on understanding that as electrons are removed, the remaining electrons experience a greater effective nuclear charge, leading to higher ionisation energies. Reviewing the concepts of electron shielding and effective nuclear charge can also help clarify these trends.
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