A neutral atom will have the lowest ionization potential when electronic configuration is — Periodic Table and Periodicity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from a neutral gaseous atom. Its trend decreases down the group due to an increase in atomic size and increases from left to right in the period due to the decrease in atomic size. 2 2 2 2 2 2 6 2 2 6 1 He - 1s C - 1s 2s 2p Ne - 1s 2s 2p Na - 1s 2s 2p 3s Therefore, sodium (Na) has the lowest ionization potential due to its large atomic size.