The energy required to pull the most loosely bound electron form an atom is known as ionization potential. It is expressed in electron volts. The value of ionization potential depends on three factors

Question

The energy required to pull the most loosely bound electron form an atom is 
known as ionization potential. It is expressed in electron volts. The value of 
ionization potential depends on three factors: (i) the charge on the nucleus 
(ii) the atomic radius and (iii) the screening effect of inner electron shells.

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. Step 1: Understand that electropositive character (metallic character) increases moving down a group and decreases moving from left to right across a period. Step 2: Alkali metals (Group 1) are always more electropositive than alkaline earth metals (Group 2) within the same period due to lower ionization energies. Step 3: Among the choices, [He] 2s1 (Lithium) and [Xe] 6s1 (Cesium) are alkali metals. Since Cesium is much further down Group 1 than Lithium, its outermost electron is most easily lost, making [Xe] 6s1 the configuration of the most electropositive element.

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