Chapter 11, Problem 4RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

For alkali metals in the periodic table, whether the first ionization energy will decrease or increase from top to bottom in a group has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Atomic radii:

The atomic radius of an atom can be defined as the distance between the center of the nucleus and the outermost electron.  In the periodic table, across a period atomic radius is decreases and increases down a group.

Ionization energy:

  The amount of energy required to remove an electron from the atom is known ionization energy.  If the removed electron is first then it will be first ionization energy, if the removed electron is second then it will be second ionization energy.

For example,

  $\text{Na}\text{+}\text{Ionization}\text{energy}\stackrel{}{\to }{\text{Na}}^{\text{+}}\text{+}\text{e}$