Second and First Ionization Energy

[Sarah Fatkin 4I]

Hi Chemistry Community! Why is the second ionization energy larger than the first ionization energy? Thanks!

[904936893]

Ionization energy is the energy it takes to remove an electron from an element. Once one electron is removed, the element has an overall positive charge. Electrons are negative, so they are therefore more attracted to this positively charged element, making them harder to remove.

[Saman Andalib 1H]

After the first ionization energy, the element has now become a charged ion which has a high attraction between the protons in the nucleus and the electrons. Attempting to remove another electron is much more difficult than removing the first (higher ionization energy) because you now have to counteract the greater electron affinity of the charged atom