Which of the following has the largest second ionization energy?
A) Ca
B) K
C) Ge
D) Se
E) Ga

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The second ionization energy is the energy required to remove a second electron from a singly charged ion. The general trend for ionization energy is that it increases as you move from left to right across a period and from bottom to top of a group on the periodic table.

Out of the given options, potassium (K) is in the fourth period and third group, while the other options are in the fourth period and to the right of potassium. Potassium is the most reactive of the given options due to its low ionization energy, and its first ionization energy is significantly lower than the other options.

When potassium loses its first electron, it forms a singly charged ion (K+). The second ionization energy will therefore be higher than for the other options since it requires more energy to remove an electron from a cation than from a neutral atom. Thus, K has the largest second ionization energy.

Which of the Following Has the Largest Second Ionization Energy