Question

Two atoms have the electron configurations 1s2 2s2 sp5 and 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1. The first ionization energy of one is 1681 kJ/mol and that of the other is 496 kJ/mol Match each ionization energy with one of the given electron configurations. Justify your choice.

Answer 1

First, I assume you made a typo on the first one and that the last shell is 2p5, yes?

Can you match these electron configurations to elements on the periodic table? They correspond to elements that always bond in a +1 and -1 state. Do you know how ionization energies change for elements that prefer to be +1 as opposed to -1?

Answer 2

I got you, thank you so much. That was pretty easy.