Let's see how ionization energy is a periodic property.
Just as was the case for the periodic trend of atomic radii, the logic behind
the periodic trends for ionization energy can be understood by understanding
the effective nuclear charge. Moving from left to right across a period in the
, the atomic number, and therefore nuclear charge, of each increases. However, moving down a group in
the , the increase in atomic number is "shielded" by the increasing
number of electron shells surrounding the nucleus, and consequently, the
effective nuclear charge decreases.
In general, the greater the effective nuclear charge of an
atom, the more closely the electrons are held, and consequently, the greater
the ionization energy. This logic explains the following periodic trends for
ionization energy:
Moving left to right across a period, the ionization
energy increases (as the nuclear charge
increases)
Moving down a group from top to bottom, the ionization
energy decreases (as the effective nuclear charge decreases due to the
shielding effect of the electrons)
(Note: There are a few minor exceptions to these trends, but
it is most important now for you to understand these general trends in ionization energy.)
Comments
Post a Comment