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Ionization Potential
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When an element in the periodic table has a high ionization potential, what is the most likely underlying cause for this characteristic?

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A

The element has a strong nuclear charge and a small atomic radius.

B

The element has a low electronegativity and high atomic mass.

C

The element is located in the lower periods of the periodic table.

D

The element has a large number of valence electrons.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

A high ionization potential means it takes a lot of energy to remove an electron. Other options are incorrect because Some people think a low electronegativity means high ionization energy, but electronegativity measures attraction for shared electrons, not how hard it is to pull one out; Elements in the lower periods are actually larger and have extra electron layers, which makes it easier to remove electrons.

Key Concepts

Ionization Potential
Atomic Structure
Periodic Trends
Topic

Ionization Potential

Difficulty

medium level question

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understand

Deep Dive: Ionization Potential

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Definition
Definition

Ionization potential is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom's outermost shell. It varies across periods and groups in the Periodic Table, influencing the element's reactivity and ability to form ions. Understanding ionization potential helps in predicting chemical behavior and bonding patterns.

Topic Definition

Ionization potential is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom's outermost shell. It varies across periods and groups in the Periodic Table, influencing the element's reactivity and ability to form ions. Understanding ionization potential helps in predicting chemical behavior and bonding patterns.

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