Question

What is ionization enthalpy?

Answer 1

Ionization enthalpy or ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from the outer most shell, from an isolated gaseous atom in its ground state to convert it into a gaseous cation. As heat is required, it is an endothermic process. Ionization enthalpy is always positive.

A(g) ---------> A+(g) + e-

Na (g) --------> Na+(g) + e- ionization enthalpy of Na is 2080 kJ/mol