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

Ionization energy (IE) is the amount of energy required to remove an electron.

If you observe the IEs sequentially, there is a large gap between the 2nd and 3rd.  This suggests it is difficult to remove more than 2 two electrons.  Elements that lose two electrons to become more stable are found in the Group 2A (2 representing the number of electrons in the outermost valence shell).