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

2034 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how to test for and identify halide ions in a solution.


Describe the mechanism for bromination across a double bond


What is a ligand?


When using cm3 as the unit for volume to calculate the concentration why must you divide the cm3 by 1000?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning