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Ionization energies of
elements
HL 1.3
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Starter
• State the sub-level from which the electron is removed when forming
the following ions:
- Na+
- Al+ Reminder:
- Ca+ • Main energy level n = 1, ,2, 3, 4 etc
- Ti+ • Sub level s, p, d, f
- Cu+ • Individual orbitals (1x s, 3x p, 5x d, 7x
- Bi+ f)
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Course Content
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Course Content - Overlap

• The same material appears in Structure 3.1
- We will review this in topic 11
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First Ionisation Energy

• The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of
gaseous atoms in the ground state

X(g)  X +
(g) + e –
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Orbital diagram and full Orbital diagram and full
electron configuration Ionization electron configuration

Na energy Mg
• Which one is it easier
to remove a 3s electron
from?
3s 3s
• What else has changed
2p from Na to Mg? 2p

2s 2s

1s 1s

1s22s22p63s1 1s22s22p63s2
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Trends in First Ionization Energy

• As you move across a period:

- Nuclear charge increases
- Electrons are added to the same main energy level
- Little increase in shielding of outer electrons from nuclear charge
- Stronger attraction of outer (valence) electrons to nucleus
- First ionization energy should increase
• Yes, but check your data booklets …
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Trends in First Ionisation Energy

First ionization energy, kJ/mol
2000

1500

1000

500

0
Na Mg Al Si P Si Cl Ar
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Trends in First Ionisation Energy

First ionization energy,
kJ/mol P is [Ne] 3s23p3
Mg is [Ne] 3s2 3 unpaired electrons
1600
1400
1200
1000
Al is [Ne] 800 Si is [Ne] 3s23p4
3s23p1 600 4th electron is paired
3p sub-level 400 and needs slightly
slightly higher in 200 less energy to
energy 0
Na Mg Al Si P Si Cl Ar remove
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From the guide…

• Can we answer this question?

• If there were no sublevels what would we see?

• What does the large drop between Mg and Al show us?
• What does the small drop between P and S show us?
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Practice
Questions
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Practice Questions
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More Investigation
• Using the data booklet:
- Do you see the same patterns in period 2? In period 4? In period 5?
- Sketch the change in ionization energy down group 1; suggest an
expllanation
- Sketch the change in ionization energy down group 17; suggest an
explanation
- Choose another group in the periodic table, does it show the same
trend?
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Trends in First Ionization Energy

• As you move down a group:
- Additional nuclear charge counteracted by extra
electrons in lower energy levels
- Atomic radius increases as there are more filled
levels
- Outer electrons are further from the nucleus
- First ionization energy decreases
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Bonus …
• Sketch the trend in first ionization energy as the 3d orbital is filled (Sc to
Zn)
• Describe the trend and suggest an explanation