Chapter 5, Problem 55AP

The outermost electron in an alkali-metal atom is sometimes described as resembling an electron in the corresponding state of a one-electron atom. Compare the first ionization energy of lithium with the binding energy of a 2s electron in a one-electron atom that has nuclear charge $Z_{\text{eff}}$ , and determine the value of $Z_{\text{eff}}$ that is necessary for the two energies to agree. Repeat the calculation for the 3s electron of sodium and the 4s electron of potassium.