Explain the change in first ionisation energy across period 2

Ionisation energy increases overall because nuclear charge increases with no significant increase in shielding, so it becomes more difficult to remove the outer electron.Ionisation energy decreases going from beryllium to boron as an electron is now being removed from a 2p orbital rather than a 2s orbital. 2p orbitals are higher in energy so it is easier to remove an electron.Ionisation energy decreases going from nitrogen to oxygen because now electrons are paired in orbitals so the electron removed from oxygen is repelled more by the other electron in its orbital so is easier to remove.

AI
Answered by Amelia I. Chemistry tutor

18789 Views

See similar Chemistry IB tutors

Related Chemistry IB answers

All answers ▸

What orbital hybridisation?


Explain why the first ionization energy of sodium is less than that of magnesium?


Which are four factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction and how do these affect the rate constant of the reaction?


0.120g of an ideal gas was introduced into a gas syringe. The volume occupied by the gas at a pressure of 1.02x10^5 Pa and temperature 20 degrees was 49.3 cm^3. Calculate the molar mass of the gas.


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