Question

Which metal is easier to ionize, lithium or strontium?

Answer 1

As a scientist you need to look at the numbers, i.e. consider the ionization energies........

Explanation:

And these are listed for most metals........

`Li(g) + Delta rarrLi^(+)(g) + e^(-)` `;DeltaH^@=520.2*kJ*mol^-1`

`Sr(g) + Delta rarrSr^(+)(g) + e^(-)` `;DeltaH^@=549.5*kJ*mol^-1`

I got the numbers from my inorganic text......

So on this basis, energetically, it is easier to form `Li^+`. Of course, ionization energy DECREASES down a Group (i.e. the distance of the valence electron from the nucleus increases), but INCREASES across a Period (`Z,` `"the atomic number"`, becomes larger). And so in this instance, we compare apples and oranges.