Question

Which electron removal from the valence shell of a carbon atom requires the highest energy?

• A. 1st electron
• B. 2nd electron
• C. 3rd electron
• D. 4th electron

Answer 1

The correct option is D 4th electron

After removing the 1st electron, the energy required to remove the 2nd electron from its orbit is higher than that of the 1st electron.
This is because 6 protons now attract 5 electrons and they exert more force on them compared to the previous case.

Similarly, energy to remove the 4th electron >>> energy to remove the 3rd electron >> energy to remove the 2nd electron.