Chapter 6.3, Problem 22SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason due to which more energy is required to remove the second electron from a lithium atom than to remove the fourth electron from a carbon atom needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The order of the electron orbital energy level are as follows:

1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p. The electrons are filled according to the Aufbau principle.

Answer to Problem 22SSC

Removal of second electron from Lithium requires more energy as it has to be removed from 1s orbital of Lithium while the removal of fourth electron from Carbon needs less energy as it has to be removed from the 2s orbital of the Carbon atom.

Explanation of Solution

The electronic configuration of Lithium is [He] 2s¹ and the electronic configuration of Carbon is [He] 2s¹ 2p². The 1s electron is more tightly held to the atomic nucleus than 2s or 2p. Due to this, removal of second electron from 1s orbital of Lithium requires more energy than the removal of fourth electron from the 2s orbital from a Carbon atom.

Conclusion

It takes more energy to remove the second electron from a lithium atom than it does to remove the fourth electron from a carbon atom as the second electron of Li is in the 1s orbital.