BookPart.docVIP

Part 2 The Electronic Structure of Atoms and the Periodic Table (Book 1, p.131 – p.134) 12. (a) (i) The first ionization energy of an element is the energy expressed in kJ mol–1 required for X(g) (( X+(g) + e( (ii) The first ionization energies decrease in magnitude on descending Group II because the outermost electron is further from the nucleus and are better shielded by the inner electron shells. Therefore, it is less strongly attracted by the nucleus and less energy is required to remove the electron. (b) (i) (ii) Mg 1s22s22p63s2 Al 1s22s22p63s23p1 The first ionization energy of Al is less than that of Mg because less energy is required to remove a 3p electron in Al than a 3s electron in Mg since the 3p electron is further away from the nucleus. (iii) The first ionization energy of Tl is greater than that of Ba because Tl has a higher nuclear charge and the outermost electron is poorly shielded by the 4f and 5d subshells.  13. (a) Across the period from Li to Ne, the atomic radius decreases. From Li to Ne, the number of protons increases but the screening effect remains the same since the elements have the same number of shells of electrons. Therefore, the attraction for the valence electrons increases and the size decreases. (b) Mg and Al are in the same period. However, Al has 1 proton more than Mg while the screening effect is the same. Al is thus smaller than Mg. Al has 3 valence electrons to contribute for the metallic bond while Mg only has 2. The metallic bond strength in Al is stronger and hence Al atoms are more closely bound. Its molar volume is thus smaller and hence Al has a higher density than Mg. Mg and Ca are in the same group. Ca has 1 more shell of electrons and the screening effect is greater. Hence, the valence electrons are more loosely bound, giving rise to a larger atomic radius. Due to the larger size of Ca, the metallic bond is weaker than in Mg. Thus Ca has a larger molar