Ionization energy (Ei) is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from a neutral gaseous atom or gaseous ion. Electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus; therefore removing an electron requires energy. The process is endothermic, and so ionization energies have a positive value. The first ionization energy (Ei1) is the energy associated with the removal of an electron from the neutral gaseous atom. The reaction is represented for the generalized atom X as: X rightarrow X^+ +e^-
Based on position in the periodic table and electron configuration, arrange these elements in order of decreasing E Rank the elements from highest to lowest ionization energy.
1. Na
2. F
3. Li
4. N
5. B
6. O
a. Highest ionization energy
b. Lowest ionization energy