Question

What is ionization potential? Explain the factors which affect ionization potential.

Answer 1

Ionization potential:- the amount of energy required to remove a $e^{-}$ from the outermost shell of the neutral atom.

Factors affecting:-

(i) Atomic radii:-

as atomic radii increase $⟶$ the outermost $e^{-}$ is loosely held by the nucleus and hence ionization potential decreases and vice versa.

(ii) Effective nuclear charge:-

as effective nuclear charge increases the $e^{-}s$ are held more tightly with the nucleus and hence ionization potential increases.

(iii) Shielding effect:-

with an increase in shielding effect$⟶$ ionization potential decreases. Due to this shielding, $e^{-}s$ are loosely held and hence low ionization potential.

(iv) Penetrating effect:-

Penetration effect is the ability of an orbital to attract a $e^{-}$. So as penetrating effect increases ionization potential increases.

(v) Stability of half-filled and full-filled orbitals

ionization potential has maximum value due to the extra stability of the half-filled and full filled electron configuration.