Question

On what factors does `"ionization energy"` depend?

Answer 1

On `"(i) nuclear charge, Z"`, and.........................`"(ii) distance of the valence electron from the nucleus"`

Explanation:

And ionization energies clearly indicate a Periodic Trend that manifest the two given properties. Ionization energies INCREASE across the Period, a row, from left to right as we face the Periodic Table, and DECREASE down a Group, a column of the Table.

Now it is a fact that INCOMPLETE electronic shells shield the nuclear VERY INEFFECTIVELY. Consider the following diagram......

And clearly, the LARGEST ionization energy, (which represents the enthalpy change for the following reaction......

`M(g) + Delta rarr M^(+)(g) + e^(-)`

......occurs for the Noble Gases, which have the highest nuclear charge for a given electronic shell.

A full valence electronic shell, shields the nuclear charge fairly effectively, and thus the alkali metals, with a single valence electron, have demonstrably low ionization energies........