Ionization energy: Energy needed to remove one electron from a gaseous atom.

Question

korosh23 · Answer

@matt101

korosh23 · Answer

For this I am wondering if the electron is removed from the atom or it is transferred from lower energy level to a higher one?

matt101 · Answer

It's removed completely. That's why it's called the ionization energy - an electron is lost so the atom becomes an ion.

korosh23 · Answer

Ok and a quick question. When the electron is added back to the ion, does this mean releasing energy or absorbing energy?

korosh23 · Answer

I know this is confusing, but I found this in my textbook
if hydrogen ions and electrons recombine to form a mole of neutral hydrogen atoms, the energy emitted is 1312 KJ

korosh23 · Answer

The energy is emitted, but it does not make sense. Can you explain me more about it?

matt101 · Answer

Actually that's not a good way of explaining it...sorry! But yes, energy is released when electrons are added to an atom. If you're learning about periodic trends, you should look into electron affinity because that will answer your question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_affinity http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/High_School_Chemistry/Electron_Affinity

anonymous · Answer

Sure, that is because the release of an electron fue to ionization energy is an endothermic process, as most of the energy is used inside the atom to extract the electron, whereas when the electron goes in, it is an exothermic one, hence RELEASING energy.

korosh23 · Answer

Both of you answered well. Thank you.