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Why is the first Ionisation Energy of transition metals is higher than Group 1 and 2 elements
Accepted Answer
The first ionization energy of transition metals is generally higher than that of Group 1 and 2 elements due to:
1. Increased Nuclear Charge: Transition metals have a greater number of protons in their nucleus, leading to a stronger attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. This makes it harder to remove an electron.
2. Effective Nuclear Charge: Despite having more electrons, the shielding effect provided by d-electrons is less effective than that of s-electrons. This means the valence electrons in transition metals experience a greater effective nuclear charge, making them more tightly bound.
3. Penetration Effect: d-orbitals have a greater penetration effect than s-orbitals, meaning they can get closer to the nucleus. This increases the attraction between the nucleus and the valence electrons.
Therefore, the combination of these factors results in higher first ionization energies for transition metals compared to Group 1 and 2 elements.
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