Explain why the ionisation energies tend to increase across a period

As you go across a period, the next atom will have 1 more proton in its nucleus than the one before. Therefore, the nucleus of each atom will have an increasingly positive charge, meaning a stronger nuclear attraction.

Even though you also have more electrons, all of the electrons are at roughly the same energy level and so there is generally little extra shielding effect or extra distance to lessen the attraction from the nucleus.

In summary, as you go along a period, the outer electrons are more strongly attracted to a more positive nucleus and so it takes more energy to remove it from the outer shell, hence a higher ionisation energy. 

MS
Answered by Megan S. Chemistry tutor

2390 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does hydrogen bonding work?


What type of intermolecular forces arise between halogen molecules? Explain how they arise.


Draw the mechanism for the reaction of an acid chloride with an alcohol to form an ester


How can you work out, using the changes in oxidation numbers, which compound out of KCl, KBr and KI has the greatest reducing power?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning