X + energy → X+ + e−
where X is any atom or molecule capable of ionizing, X+ is that atom or molecule with an electron removed (positive ion), and e− is the removed electron.
A nitrogen atom, for example, requires the following ionization energy to remove the outermost electron.
N + IE → N+ + e− IE = 14.5 eV
The ionization energy associated with removing the first electron is most commonly used. The nth ionization energy refers to the amount of energy required to remove an electron from the species with a charge of (n-1).
1st ionization energy
X → X+ + e−
2nd ionization energy
X+ → X2+ + e−
3rd ionization energy
X2+ → X3+ + e−
Ionization Energy in the Periodic Table
For full interactivity, please visit material-properties.org.
Ionization Energy for different Elements
There is ionization energy for each successive electron removed. The electrons that circle the nucleus move in fairly well-defined orbits. Some of these electrons are more tightly bound in the atom than others. For example, only 7.38 eV is required to remove the outermost electron from a lead atom, while 88,000 eV is required to remove the innermost electron. Helps to understand the reactivity of elements (especially metals, which lose electrons).
In general, the ionization energy increases moving up a group and moving left to the right across a period. Moreover:
- Ionization energy is lowest for the alkali metals, which have a single electron outside a closed shell.
- Ionization energy increases across a row on the periodic maximum for the noble gases which have closed shells.
For example, sodium requires only 496 kJ/mol or 5.14 eV/atom to ionize it. On the other hand, neon, the noble gas immediately preceding it in the periodic table, requires 2081 kJ/mol or 21.56 eV/atom.
