Question detail
What happens to the ionisation energy as you remove successive electrons from an atom?
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. It decreases
- B. It remains constant
- C. It increases
- D. It fluctuates
Answer
It increases
Explanation
As successive electrons are removed from an atom, the ionisation energy generally increases due to the increased effective nuclear charge experienced by the remaining electrons, making them harder to remove.
Common mistake
Common Mistake in Writing Ionisation Equations
Students often forget to include the correct charge on the ion when writing equations for first and successive ionisation energies.
To fix this, remember that the first ionisation energy equation for an atom X should be written as: X(g) → X⁺(g) + e⁻. For successive ionisation energies, include the charge of the ion formed. For example, the second ionisation energy would be: X⁺(g) → X²⁺(g) + e⁻. Always ensure to indicate the state of the atom and the charge of the ions.
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