Given below are two statements:
Statement I: First I.E order: Na > Mg > Al
Statement II: Third I.E order: Mg > Al > Na
Correct Answer :
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
Solution :
To determine the correctness of the given statements, let us analyze the first and third ionization energies () of Sodium (), Magnesium (), and Aluminum ().
1. Analysis of Statement I (First Ionization Energy, ):
The electronic configurations of the neutral gaseous atoms are:
•
•
•
• Sodium () has only one electron in its valence shell (), which can be removed very easily. Therefore, it has the lowest among the three elements.
• Magnesium () has a fully-filled, stable valence shell configuration ().
• Aluminum () has the configuration . The electron is to be removed from the subshell, which is higher in energy and experiences more shielding than the electrons in . Consequently, it is easier to remove an electron from than from .
Thus, the correct first ionization energy order is:
Therefore, Statement I () is incorrect.
2. Analysis of Statement II (Third Ionization Energy, ):
To determine the third ionization energy, we look at the electronic configurations of the divalent cations (), from which the third electron is removed:
•
• (Noble gas configuration)
•
• For , the third electron must be removed from a highly stable, closed-shell noble gas configuration (). This requires an exceptionally large amount of energy. Thus, has the highest .
• For , the electron is removed from the subshell (principle quantum number ).
• For , the electron is removed from the valence subshell (principle quantum number ), which is further from the nucleus and shielded by the inner shells. Hence, it is much easier to remove than the electron of .
Thus, the correct third ionization energy order is:
Therefore, Statement II () is also incorrect.
Conclusion:
Since both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect, the correct option is "Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect".
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