DAT

[609088]

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Can someone explain why this question is false.

Magnesium has a third ionization energy slightly higher than its second ionization energy

THanks

 

[discensdentibus]

elements do not like to give up their core electrons. try to understand the trend

 

[emminent]

Well another way to put it is that all atoms want to be like noble gases b/c they are most stable. In order to be like a noble gas Mg can easily lose 2 electrons which will put it in the noble gas zone.

But since it's in a very stable state with a filled octet like noble gases it doesn't want to give up electrons which is why the third ionization energy is significantly higher rather than slightly higher than the second ionization energy.

I think I explained it decent enough. Correct me if I'm wrong guys.

 

[609088]

Thanks guys!!!

 

[emminent]

Don't thank me... thank Chad... /insert advertising jk

 

[Dental2000]

Mg has 2 electrons in its outermost shell i.e its Valence shell.

Removing the 1st 2 electrons will now make its outermost shell one with 8 Valence electons i.e a filled octet.

so Mg2+ is in essence a noble gas now. Trying to remove electrons from a filled Octet shell(which is what all Noble gases are) requires much higher energy than compared to unfilled octets.