Question

If I${}_1$ is the 1st ionization potential, I${}_2$ is the 2nd ionization potential, I${}_3$ is the 3rd ionization potential and I${}_4$ is the fourth ionization potential of an element, then which of the following has the least value?

• A. I${}_1$
• B. I${}_2$
• C. I${}_3$
• D. I${}_4$

Answer 1

The correct option is A I${}_1$

Ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from an atom.So the successive energy required after removing an electron from outer shell keeps on increasing as the screening effect decreases when electron gets closer to the atomic nucleus. So the first energy is the minimum as compared to other ionization energies.