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Question -

How would you explain the fact that the first ionization enthalpy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium but its second ionization enthalpy is higher than that of magnesium?



Answer -

The 1st┬аionizationenthalpy of magnesium is higher than 1st┬аionization enthalpy ofsodium because,

  1. Magnesium is having greater atomic size than sodium.
  2. Magnesium is having higher effective nuclear charge than sodium.

Thus, energy requiredto expel an electron from sodium is lower than that in magnesium. Thus, the 1st┬аionizationenthalpy of magnesium is higher than 1st┬аionization enthalpy ofsodium.

The 2nd┬аionizationenthalpy of magnesium is lower than 2nd┬аionization enthalpy ofsodium is because after expelling an electron, there is still 1 electronremaining in the 3s-orbital of magnesium, whereas sodium achieves stable inertgas configuration after expelling an electron. So, magnesium still requires toexpel 1 electron to achieve stable inert gas configuration.

Thus, energy requiredto expel 2nd┬аelectron from magnesium is lower than that insodium. Thus, the 2nd┬аionization enthalpy of magnesium is lowerthan 2nd┬аionization enthalpy of sodium.

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