Question

A sudden large jump between the values of second and third I.E of an element would be associated with which of the electronic configuration?

• A. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^1$
• B. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^1$
• C. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^2$
• D. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^3$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^2$

A large difference between second and third ionization potential implies that there are two valence electrons in the concerned element and the element attains very stable configuration after loss of two electrons . It is difficult to remove electron from penultimate shell therefore third ionization potential is high . Option C satisfies the condition of two valence electrons.