The first ionization energy of gallium (Ga, 578.8 kJ mol-1) is greater than that of aluminum (Al, 57 — Atomic Structure Chemistry Question
Question
The first ionization energy of gallium (Ga, 578.8 kJ mol-1) is greater than that of aluminum (Al, 577.5 kJ mol-1). Which is the best explanation for this?
A.✓ Correct
The 3d electrons in gallium imperfectly screen the nuclear charge from the outermost electrons.
B.
The 4p orbitals in gallium have an additional radial node compared to the 3p orbitals in aluminum and thus have more electron density very close to the nucleus.
C.
Gallium has a half-filled subshell, which is unusually stable.
D.
Because electron energy is proportional to 1/n2, electrons with higher principal quantum numbers have lower energies and hence are more difficult to ionize.
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