1st and 2nd ionization energy? [ENDORSED]

[Jennifer1E]

What is the difference between the first ionization energy and the second ionization energy?

[Savanna Gharibian 1A]

First ionization energy is basically the energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom while in a gas state. The second ionization energy is the energy required to remove another electron from that atom, so you're technically removing an electron from a 1+ ion since that atom already lost an electron already. Hope that helps!

[sid bauer]

In terms of equations, the equation for the first ionization of energy is: Na --> Na+ + e-. Whereas the equation for the second ionization of energy is: Na+ --> Na2+ + e-. Also, it takes MORE energy for the second ionization of energy!

Hope this helps!

[Amy Wu 1D]

Why does it require more energy to remove yet another electron?

[Kyle Sheu 1C]

The removal of the first electron reduces the effect of electron-electron repulsion, thus increasing the effective nuclear charge.

Because e- are now more tightly held by the nucleus, a greater amount of energy is required to remove yet another e-.

[Odalis Section 1E]

Another small thing to remember about the 2nd ionization energy is that it will always be greater than the 1st for the reasons explained above.

[AtreyiMitra2L]

The first ionization energy refers to the amount of energy needed to get one electron from the outer most energy level. The second ionization energy refers to the amount of energy needed to get one more electron out of the outer most energy level.

[Wayland Leung]

The ionization energy to remove the second electron of an atom will always be higher than the ionization energy to remove the first electron because the pull from the nucleus gets stronger and stronger as you begin to remove the electron shells.