How does Ionization Potential vary in a group and a period?
Ionization energy is the lowest amount of energy that an electron in a gaseous atom or ion must receive to escape the nucleus' influence. It's also known as ionization potential, and it's typically an endothermic process.
Ionization potential variation Across a Group
Ionization potential decrease as we move down the group. This decrease can be explained on the basis of an increase in size as size increases while moving down the group due to an increase in the number of shells which makes it easier to remove an electron as the interaction of atom and nucleus gets decreases.
Ionization potential variation Across a Period
Ionization potential increase as we move left to right towards a period. This is due to the decrease in size and size is decreased due to an increase in effective nuclear charge. Therefore the outer electron gets tightly held by the nucleus so to remove an electron we need more energy.
Final answer:
Hence, In a period, ionization energy increases from left to right, while in a group, it decreases from top to bottom.