Across a period
As the nuclear charge increases so the attraction between the outermost electrons and the nucleus increases and therefore so does the ionisation energy.
Trends in ionisation energies
Plasma balls use a high voltage to ionise the gas inside
A definition worth learning...
The trends in first ionisation energies give some important clues about the electron configuration of the elements.
What's the trend?
Periodic patterns
General trends:
Down a group
On going down a group the number of shells increases so the distance between the nucleus and the outer electrons increases. In addition each complete shell of electrons has a "SHIELDING EFFECT" making it easier to remove the outer electrons and therefore lowering the ionisation
Successive ionisation energies
Successive ionisation energies can suggest the arrangement of electrons in the principal quantum shells.
Can you write the equations to represent the second third ionisation energies of potassium ?
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