The correct order of C, N, O and F in terms of second ionisation potential is
- C < N < F < O
- C < F < N < O
- F < N < C < O
- C < O < N < F
Answer
(1) C < N < F < O
Solution
Second ionisation removes an electron from the unipositive ion:
C+: 2s2 2p1; N+: 2s2 2p2; O+: 2s2 2p3; F+: 2s2 2p4
Across the period IE2 rises with nuclear charge, but O+ has a stable half-filled 2p3 configuration, so removing an electron from it is harder than from F+ (2p4).
IE2 ( kJ mol-1): C 2353, N 2856, O 3388, F 3374
C < N < F < O
Answer: (1)