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Given below are the plots of first ionization enthalpy (Δi H) of elements of the second period (Fig. 1) and Δi H of alkali metals as a function of Z (Fig. 2). Give reasons for the following:(a) First ionization enthalpy generally increases as we go across a period and decreases as we descend a group.(b) Ionization enthalpy of boron is slightly less than that of beryllium.(c) Ionization enthalpy of nitrogen is more than that of oxygen. |
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Answer» (a) First ionization enthalpy generally increases as we go across a period due to increase in nuclear charge and decreases as we descend a group due to increase in atomic size. (b) Ionization enthalpy of boron is slightly less than of beryllium because in boron, 2s-orbital is complete and its valence electron (2p1) is shielded by the 2s electrons so less energy is required to remove the 2p electron from a boron atom than is required to remove the 2s electron from a beryllium atom. (c) Ionization enthalpy of nitrogen is more than that of oxygen because in nitrogen, half – filled p-orbital (2p3) is present which is more stable than 2p4 of O-atom, so more energy is required to remove electron from 2p orbital of nitrogen than that of oxygen. |
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