Question

instructions: use the figure shown below to answer question 13. 13._____ consider the ionization energies shown for atoms 1,2, and 3. which atom has four valence electrons?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Ionization Energy Trends

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. When there is a large jump in ionization energy, it indicates that a core electron is being removed. For an atom with four valence electrons, there will be a large jump after the fourth ionization energy.
For Atom 1: The first three ionization energies (\(800\), \(2430\), \(3660\)) are relatively close. Then there is a large jump to the fourth ionization energy (\(25020\)). This implies that after removing three valence electrons, a core electron is being removed. So Atom 1 has three valence electrons.
For Atom 2: The first four ionization energies (\(1090\), \(2350\), \(4620\), \(6220\)) are relatively close. Then there is a large jump to the fifth ionization energy (\(37830\)). This implies that after removing four valence electrons, a core electron is being removed.
For Atom 3: The first five ionization energies (\(1400\), \(2860\), \(4580\), \(7480\), \(9440\)) are relatively close. Then there is a large jump to the sixth ionization energy (\(53270\)). This implies that after removing five valence electrons, a core electron is being removed.

Answer:

Atom 2