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Ionization Potential
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A chemist is studying the reactivity of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in a lab. They observe that sodium easily loses an electron while chlorine readily gains an electron to form NaCl. How does the ionization potential of sodium influence its reactivity compared to chlorine?

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A

Sodium has a low ionization potential, allowing it to lose an electron easily, while chlorine has a high ionization potential, making it less likely to lose an electron.

B

Sodium has a high ionization potential, making it difficult to lose an electron, while chlorine has a low ionization potential, allowing it to gain electrons easily.

C

Both sodium and chlorine have similar ionization potentials, so their reactivities are comparable.

D

Sodium's low ionization potential facilitates the loss of an electron, while chlorine's high electron affinity allows it to gain an electron easily.

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Answer

Ionization potential is the energy needed to remove an electron from an atom. Sodium has a low ionization potential (about 5. 1 eV), so it can lose its outer electron with little energy, making it highly reactive. Chlorine, in contrast, has a high ionization potential and a strong tendency to gain an electron, so it prefers to accept an electron rather than lose one. Because sodium can easily donate its electron, it reacts swiftly with chlorine, forming Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.

Detailed Explanation

Sodium has a low ionization potential, which means it takes little energy to pull off its outer electron. Other options are incorrect because The mistake is thinking chlorine has a high ionization potential; This option says sodium’s ionization potential is high, which is wrong.

Key Concepts

Ionization Potential
Reactivity of Elements
Electron Affinity
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Ionization Potential

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A chemist is studying the reactivity of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in a lab. They observe that sodium easily loses an electron while chlorine readily gains an electron to form NaCl. How does the ionization potential of sodium influence its reactivity compared to chlorine?

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