xviii. The metal with minimum enthalpy of atomisation is
(a) Hg
(b) Mn
(c) Fe
(d) Cu
Answers
The metal with minimum enthalpy of atomisation is Cu
we have to find out the metal among them with the minimum enthalpy of atomisation.
solution : enthalpy of atomisation is the amount of energy required to break any chemical compounds into individual atoms.
enthalpy of atomisation depends on extent of metallic bonding of an element.
The more extensive the metallic bonding of an element, the more will be its enthalpy of atomisation.
we know, if any element doesn't have any unpaired electrons, its metallic bonding will be weak. so the enthalpy of atomisation will be less.
from electronic configuration of Hg = [Xe]4f¹⁴ [ completely filled ] , there is no unpaired electrons. but all the remaining elements has unpaired electrons. so enthalpy of atomisation of Hg is the minimum among them.
Therefore the correct option is (A) Hg.