Identify the figure showing the successive ionization energies of Mg.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To identify the figure showing Mg’s successive ionization energies, I will compare the general pattern of ionization energies for a metal with a noble-gas core like magnesium.

- Concept to apply: Magnesium has the electron configuration [Ne] 3s^2. The first two ionizations remove the two 3s electrons, which require relatively small amounts of energy. Once those two valence electrons are removed, the next electron is taken from a closed-shell (Ne) core, which requires a substantially larger amount of energy. Consequently, there is a dramatic jump in ionization energy after the second ionization, followed by relatively high but more uniform values for subsequent ionizations as electrons are removed from an increasingly positively charged, nearly noble-gas core.

- Option A (Figure I): If this figure showed only modest increases for the first few ionizations and then an abrupt enormous jump at an earlier ionization step (e.g., after the first or second), that would be inconsistent with Mg’s need to remove two valence electrons before hitting the core. This pattern would be more characteristic of a species with a different valence structure or a misrepresented trend.

- Option B (Figure II): This figure is expected to display small first and second ionization energies, followed by a large jump at the third ionization energy, with subsequent steps staying relatively high. This aligns with Mg’s [Ne] core and two valence electrons scenario, where the third ionization targets a core electron and requires much more energy. Therefore the profile matches the known trend for Mg.

- Option C (Figure III): If this graph showed a gradual, uniform increase across all successive ionizations without a notable jump after the second, it would contradict Mg’s core-electron structure. A lack of a pronounced jump fails to reflect the transition from valence to core electrons.

- Option D (Figure IV): If this figure had its large energy increments happening at different steps or displayed a pattern inconsistent with a noble-gas core after two valence electrons, it would not fit Mg’s expected ionization sequence. Magnesium’s characteristic large jump uniquely occurs when removing a core electron after two valence removals, not in a later or earlier unexpected step.

- Option E (I am unsure and need to study this concept to prepare for the exam): While acknowledging uncertainty is okay, this option does not engage with the reasoning about electron configurations and typical ionization-energy patterns necessary to identify the correct figure.

In summary, the correct interpretation relies on Mg having two valence electrons that are relatively easy to remove, followed by a substantial energy requirement for removing a core electron. The figure that exhibits a small first and second ionization energy with a pronounced jump at the third (and maintained high values thereafter) best matches Mg’s successive ionization-energy trend. This corresponds to Figure II.

Identify the figure showing the successive ionization energies of Mg.Single choice

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