IChO 2003 · Theory problem 20

Largest third ionisation energy

Which of the following elements has the largest third ionization energy?

a) \(\ce{B}\) \(\boxed{(\;)}\)
b) \(\ce{C}\) \(\boxed{(\;)}\)
c) \(\ce{N}\) \(\boxed{(\;)}\)
d) \(\ce{Mg}\) \(\boxed{(\;)}\)
e) \(\ce{Al}\) \(\boxed{(\;)}\)

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 20. d) \(\ce{Mg}\), magnesium. Mark the box beside d).

Solution

20. The third ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous doubly charged positive ion. Thus, compare the electron configurations after the first two ionizations:

Ion (name and SMILES) Electron configuration Electron removed in the third ionization
Boron dication, [B+2] \(1s^2\,2s^1\) \(2s\) valence electron
Carbon dication, [C+2] \(1s^2\,2s^2\) \(2s\) valence electron
Nitrogen dication, [N+2] \(1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^1\) \(2p\) valence electron
Magnesium dication, [Mg+2] \(1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\) \(2p\) core electron
Aluminium dication, [Al+2] \(1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^1\) \(3s\) valence electron

Magnesium has already lost both of its \(3s\) valence electrons, leaving a closed shell with the electron configuration of neon. Its third ionization,

\[ \ce{Mg^2+(g) -> Mg^3+(g) + e-}, \]

therefore removes an electron from this inner closed shell. The product is the magnesium trication, [Mg+3].

This core electron is strongly bound: it occupies the \(n=2\) shell and experiences the attraction of magnesium’s nucleus with 12 protons. The \(n=2\) electrons removed from boron, carbon, and nitrogen are valence electrons in atoms with much lower nuclear charges. Aluminium instead loses its remaining \(3s\) valence electron.

Consequently, magnesium has the largest third ionization energy.

The answers were checked against the official answers published by the organisers.