The electronic configuration of the atom having maximum difference in first and second ionization energies is

Question

The electronic configuration of the atom having maximum difference in first and second ionization energies is (A) 1s22s22p63s1 (B) 1s22s22p63s2 (C) 1s22s22p1 (D) 1s22s22p63s23p1

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

In (a), the first electron is to be removed from 3s1 which is easily removed but the second electron is to be removed from the more stable neon core, which is removed with difficulty. Hence, electronic configuration (a) will give the maximum difference in the first and the second IE.

Q. The electronic configuration of the atom having maximum difference in first and second ionization energies is

$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{1}$

$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2}$

$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{1}$

$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2} 3 p^{1}$

In (a), the first electron is to be removed from $3 s^{1}$ which is easily removed but the second electron is to be removed from the more stable neon core, which is removed with difficulty. Hence, electronic configuration (a) will give the maximum difference in the first and the second IE.