Question

Explain the terms

(i) Ionization potential

(ii) Electro-positively

(iii) Inert pair effect

Answer 1

1. The ionization potential or otherwise known as the ionization energy is the measure of the amount of energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom or ground state. The first electron is removed from the valence shell and can be noted as the first ionization potential.
   
2. The elements that can easily lose electrons to form positive ions are called electropositive elements, for example, metals. Electropositivity is the measure of the ability of elements (mainly metals) to donate electrons to form positive ions.
   
3. The inert pair effect is the tendency of the two electrons in the outermost atomic s-orbital to remain unionized or unshared in compounds of post-transition metals.