Question

For magnesium, the first ionization potential is 7.6 eV. The second ionization potential (additional energy required to remove a second electron) is almost twice this, 15 eV, and the third ionization potential is much larger, about 80 eV. How can these numbers be understood?

Short answer

The energy required for removing one electron from the atom is$\mathrm{E}=\frac{{\mathrm{Z}}_{\mathrm{ef}}}{{\mathrm{n}}^2}\left(13.6\mathrm{eV}\right)$ this equation tells that when we remove next electron ${\mathrm{Z}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$the is increase by one, so the energy required for remove next electron is ${\mathrm{Z}}_{\mathrm{eff}}^2$.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of metal

The term metal may be defined as the elements have property of loss of electron.

Explain the reason

The energy required for removing one electron from the atom is$\mathrm{E}=\frac{{\mathrm{Z}}_{\mathrm{eff}}}{{\mathrm{n}}^2}$ this equation tells that when we remove next electron the${\mathrm{Z}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ is increase by one, so the energy required for remove next electron is $Z_{eff}^2$.

Hence, for magnesium, the first ionization potential is 7.6 eV. The second ionization potential (additional energy required to remove a second electron) is almost twice this, 15 eV, and the third ionization potential is much larger, about 80 eV.