Question

What happens to the ionization energy as one goes down a group?

Answer 1

Ionization energy decreases down a Group, a column of the Periodic Table......

Explanation:

We examine the process:

`M(g) + Delta rarr M^(+)(g) + e^-`

Simple electrostatics supports the given principle. As the valence electron becomes farther removed from the positive nucleus, the electrostatic force of attraction should diminish. And indeed it does.

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