Question

which of the element Na Mg Si and P would have the greatest difference between the first and the second ionization enthalpy brief explain your answer

Answer 1

The answer is Na (sodium).

After the first Ionisation enthalpy, Na becomes Na⁺. Now, it attains octet configuration (Noble gas configuration), due to which it becomes stable. Now, it would require a lot of energy to disturb this stable state. Hence the Second Ionisation energy becomes abnormally high.

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