Question

which element has the highest ionization energy? *
mg
ba
o
te
which has the smallest atomic radius *
mg
ba
b
o
te
which has the smallest ionization energy? *
li
cs
n

Explanation:

First question: Which element has the highest ionization energy?

Step1: Recall ionization energy trends

Ionization energy generally increases across a period (from left - to - right) and decreases down a group.

• \(Mg\) (magnesium) is in Group 2, Period 3.
• \(Ba\) (barium) is in Group 2, Period 6. Since it is lower in the group than \(Mg\), its ionization energy is lower than \(Mg\)'s.
• \(O\) (oxygen) is in Group 16, Period 2.
• \(Te\) (tellurium) is in Group 16, Period 5. Since it is lower in the group than \(O\), its ionization energy is lower than \(O\)'s.
• Comparing \(Mg\) and \(O\): \(O\) is further to the right in its period. So, \(O\) has a higher ionization energy than \(Mg\)

Second question: Which has the smallest atomic radius?

Step1: Recall atomic radius trends

Atomic radius generally decreases across a period (from left - to - right) and increases down a group.

• \(Mg\) (magnesium) is in Group 2, Period 3.
• \(Ba\) (barium) is in Group 2, Period 6. Since it is lower in the group than \(Mg\), its atomic radius is larger than \(Mg\)'s.
• \(B\) (boron) is in Group 13, Period 2.
• \(O\) (oxygen) is in Group 16, Period 2. Since \(O\) is further to the right in Period 2 than \(B\), \(O\) has a smaller atomic radius than \(B\)
• \(Te\) (tellurium) is in Group 16, Period 5. Since it is lower in the group than \(O\), its atomic radius is larger than \(O\)'s.

Third question: Which has the smallest ionization energy?

Step1: Recall ionization energy trends

Ionization energy generally increases across a period (from left - to - right) and decreases down a group.

• \(Li\) (lithium) is in Group 1, Period 2.
• \(Cs\) (cesium) is in Group 1, Period 6. Since \(Cs\) is lower in the group than \(Li\), its ionization energy is lower than \(Li\)'s.
• \(N\) (nitrogen) is in Group 15, Period 2. Since it is further to the right in its period than \(Li\), its ionization energy is higher than \(Li\)'s

Answer:

1. \(O\) (for the highest ionization energy question)
2. \(O\) (for the smallest atomic radius question)
3. \(Cs\) (for the smallest ionization energy question)