Question

A sudden large jump between the values of second and third ionization energies of an element would be associated with which of the following electronic configuration?

• A. $1s^2$, $2s^2\, 2p^6$, $3s^1$
• B. $1s^2$, $2s^2\, 2p^6$, $3s^2\, 3p^1$
• C. $1s^2$, $2s^2\, 2p^6$, $3s^1,3p^2$
• D. $1s^2$, $2s^2\, 2p^6$, $3s^2$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

A sudden large jump between the values of $2^{nd}$ and $3^{rd}$ ionisation energies of an element indicates, that the element has two electrons in its valence shell. Then, the possible electronic configuration may be $1s^2$, $2s^2\, 2p^6$, $3s^2$