Chemistry
Chemistry
Problem
First three ionisation energies (in kJ/mol) of three representative elements are given below :| Element | IE 1 | IE 2 | IE 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | 495.8 | 4562 | 6910 |
| Q | 737.7 | 1451 | 7733 |
| R | 577.5 | 1817 | 2745 |
Intuitive explanation
Ionization energy jumps reveal electron shell structure—when you see a huge spike between consecutive ionizations, you've just removed an electron from a new, inner shell that's much harder to access. By comparing the pattern and magnitude of these jumps across the three elements, you can deduce their electron configurations and identify which element is which, then spot which claim about them doesn't match reality. Look for the element with a dramatic jump after the second ionization (suggesting a Group 13 metal) versus one with a gentler progression (suggesting a Group 16 nonmetal).
Intuitive explanation
Ionization energy jumps reveal electron shell structure—when you see a huge spike between consecutive ionizations, you've just removed an electron from a new, inner shell that's much harder to access. By comparing the pattern and magnitude of these jumps across the three elements, you can deduce their electron configurations and identify which element is which, then spot which claim about them doesn't match reality. Look for the element with a dramatic jump after the second ionization (suggesting a Group 13 metal) versus one with a gentler progression (suggesting a Group 16 nonmetal).