Factors affecting ionisation

energy
Starter:
Draw an electron shell diagram of an
atom of potassium.
Extension:
State the order of reactivity of the
alkali metals.
Explain this in terms of atomic
structure

By the end of the lesson you should

be able to:
a) Define the terms first ionisation energy and
successive ionisation energy;
b) Explain that ionisation energies are
influenced by nuclear charge, electron
shielding and the distance of the outermost
electron from the nucleus;
c) predict from successive ionisation energies
of an element:
i. the number of electrons in each shell of an atom,
ii. the group of the element;

Ionisation Energy
First Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove 1 mole of
electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms

X(g) X+(g) + e-

+
Na

Factors affecting Ionisation

Energy
Ionisation energy values vary from
element to element.
Discuss with your neighbours what
factors will affect how much energy
is required to remove an electron
from a particular atom.
For each, predict how changing that
factor will affect I.E.

1) Nuclear charge
As the charge in the nucleus
increases the force of attraction
between the nucleus and electrons
will increase.
Therefore increased nuclear charge
leads to increased ionisation energy.

2) Number of electron shells (or

distance from the nucleus)
As the number of shells increases the
distance from the nucleus increases.
This leads to a decrease in the force
of attraction between the nucleus
and the outer shell electrons.
Therefore increased number of
shells leads to decreased ionisation
energy.

3) Shielding electrons
Electrons orbit the nucleus
At certain times, electrons
occupying the inner shells
pass between the nucleus
and the outer shell electrons.
This shields the force of
attraction between the
nucleus and the outer shell
electrons.
The greater the number of
inner shell electrons, the
larger this shielding effect.
Increased shielding leads to
decreased ionisation energy.

Na

Trends in Ionisation Energy

When considering trends in ionisation energy
you should consider each factor in turn then
conclude what the overall trend will be.
The trends which you may be asked to
describe and explain are:
i. Trends in 1st IE across a period
ii. Trends in 1st IE down a group

Describe and explain these two trends,

with reference to the three factors.

Trends in First Ionisation Energy:

Across a period
Nuclear charge increases increased force
of attraction between nucleus and electron.
Number of shells remains the same no
effect on force of attraction.
Number of shielding electrons remains the
same no effect on force of attraction.
Overall: increasing force of attraction
between nucleus and electrons
increasing first ionisation energy values
across a period.

Trend in First Ionisation Energy

Down a group:
Nuclear charge increases Increased force of
attraction.
Number of shells increases Decreased force
of attraction.
Shielding effect increases Decreased force
of attraction.
Overall:
Although the nuclear charge increases as you go down
the group, so does the number of shells and the
shielding effect, meaning that the force of attraction
between the nucleus and the outer shell electrons
decreases and so does the first ionisation energy

Evidence for the existence

of electron shells

Ionisation Energy
First Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove 1 mole of
electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms

X(g) X+(g) + eSecond Ionisation Energy

The energy required to remove 1 mole of
electrons from one mole of gaseous 1+ ions

X+

X2+

+ e-

Ionisation Energy
nth Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove 1
mole of electrons from one mole of
gaseous (n-1)+ ions
X(n-1)+ (g) Xn+(g) + e-

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na

Log of 1st Ionisation Energy

Number of electrons removed

Na