Which of the following electronic configuration is associated with the biggest jump between the seco — Periodic Table and Periodicity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: A massive jump between the second and third ionization energies (IE_3 >> IE_2) indicates that the third electron must be removed from a highly stable, filled inner shell core. Step 2: Examine the configurations after removing two electrons: option (c) becomes 1s2 2s2 2p6, which is the exceptionally stable noble gas configuration of Neon. Step 3: Removing an electron from this stable closed octet requires an enormous amount of energy, leading to the biggest jump between IE_2 and IE_3. Thus, option (c) is correct.