Question

read the graph. what is happening to the ionization energy, in general, as we move across the periodic table from li to ne?
ie increases, in general
ie decreases, in general.

Explanation:

As we move across a period (from left to right) in the periodic table, the atomic number increases. This leads to an increase in the nuclear charge. The electrons are added to the same principal energy level. The increased nuclear charge attracts the electrons more strongly. Ionization energy (IE) is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. With stronger attraction of electrons to the nucleus (due to increased nuclear charge across the period from Li to Ne), more energy is required to remove an electron. So, in general, ionization energy increases across a period.

Answer:

IE increases, in general