Home Chemistry Classification of Elements and Periodicity Ionisation Energy The second ionization enthalpies of elements…
Chemistry Classification of Elements and Periodicity Ionisation Energy Single Correct MCQ
Published on: August 12, 2026

The second ionization enthalpies of elements are always higher than their first ionization enthalpies because:

A
cation formed always have stable half-filled or completely filled valence shell electron configuration.
B
it is easier to remove electron from cation.
C
ionization is an endothermic process.
D
the cation is smaller than its parent atom.

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The correct answer is:
D

As elements are ionized, the proton to electron ratio increases, so the attraction between valence shell electron and nucleus increases and as a result the size decreases. Therefore, the removal of electron from smaller cation requires higher energy. Hence the second ionization enthalpy is greater than its first ionization enthalpy.

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