How does ionization energy change with the size of atoms?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 2, 2017

Would not the larger atom have the INTRINSICALLY SMALLER ionization energy?

Explanation:

The ionization energy is defined by the process......

#M(g) + Delta rarr M(g)^(+) + e^(-)#

#M# is a label of convenience. For a given valence shell (and of course we must compare apples with apples, and not with oranges) we would assume that as nuclear charge grows with #Z#, the atomic number, (i) the atomic radius CONTRACTS, and (ii) the ionization energy (for a given Period) should INCREASE.......

But we should look at the data.......

sites.google.com

Clearly, atomic size DECREASES across the Period, from left to right as we face the Table.

imgarcade.com

And also clearly, ionization energy INCREASES across the Period from left to right as we face the Table. And this trend ALSO makes sense on the basis of smaller atomic radii, as well as on the basis of greater atomic charge. Because electrostatic attraction varies inversely to the square of electronic radius, smaller atoms should have intrinsically greater ionization energies. Do these data support these arguments?

Related questions
See all questions in Periodic Trends in Ionization Energy
Impact of this question
4028 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License