With which of the following electronic configuration an atom has the lowest ionisation enthalpy?
- 1s2 2s2 2p3
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
- 1s2 2s2 2p6
- 1s2 2s2 2p5
Answer
(2) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
Solution
The configurations belong to: (1) N, (2) Na, (3) Ne, (4) F.
As per NCERT, alkali metals have the lowest ionisation enthalpies in each period, because the single ns electron is far from the nucleus and well shielded, and its removal gives a stable noble gas configuration.
⇒ Ne (noble gas, stable octet) has the highest value; N and F (small, high nuclear charge, n = 2) also have high values.
∴ Na (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1) has the lowest ionisation enthalpy.
Answer: (2)