A space probe identifies a new element in a sample collected from an asteroid. Successive ionization energies (in attojoules per atom) for the new element are shown below.
I1 I2 I3 I4 I5 I6 I7
0.507 1.017 4.108 5.074 6.147 7.903 8.294

To what family of the periodic table does this new element probably belong?
1(1A)
2(2A)
13(3A)
14(4A)
15(5A)
16(6A)
17(7A)
18(8A)

Question

A space probe identifies a new element in a sample collected from an asteroid. Successive ionization energies (in attojoules per atom) for the new element are shown below.
I1           I2         I3     I4          I5      I6         I7
0.507 1.017 4.108 5.074 6.147 7.903 8.294

To what family of the periodic table does this new element probably belong?
1(1A)
2(2A)
13(3A)
14(4A)
15(5A)
16(6A)
17(7A)
18(8A)

anonymous · Answer

I would say that it was a group two element as after its two outer electrons are removed there is a sudden jump in the ionisation values, this would correspond to trying to remove an electron form a stable full shell.