for element x represented above, which of the following is the most likely explanation for the large…

for element x represented above, which of the following is the most likely explanation for the large difference between the second and third ionization energies?\na the effective nuclear charge decreases with successive ionizations.\nb the shielding of outer electrons increases with successive ionizations.\nc the electron removed during the third ionization is, on average, much closer to the nucleus than the first two electrons removed were.\nd the ionic radius increases with successive ionizations.

for element x represented above, which of the following is the most likely explanation for the large difference between the second and third ionization energies?\na the effective nuclear charge decreases with successive ionizations.\nb the shielding of outer electrons increases with successive ionizations.\nc the electron removed during the third ionization is, on average, much closer to the nucleus than the first two electrons removed were.\nd the ionic radius increases with successive ionizations.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

  • Option A: Effective nuclear charge increases with successive ionizations as electrons are removed, so this option is incorrect.
  • Option B: Shielding of outer electrons decreases with successive ionizations (fewer electrons to shield), so this option is incorrect.
  • Option C: When removing the third electron, if the first two electrons were from the outer - shell (valence electrons), and the third electron is from an inner - shell (core electron). Core electrons are much closer to the nucleus. The large jump in ionization energy ((IE_3) is much larger than (IE_2)) is because the electron removed during the third ionization is, on average, much closer to the nucleus than the first two electrons removed were.
  • Option D: Ionic radius decreases with successive ionizations (more positive charge, electrons are pulled in more), so this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. The electron removed during the third ionization is, on average, much closer to the nucleus than the first two electrons removed were.