Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties · NEET Preparation Chemistry

The correct order of the second ionization enthalpy of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine is:

Practice question from Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties (NEET Preparation Chemistry), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.

medium · MCQ · Q-823AEE

The correct order of the second ionization enthalpy of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine is:

  1. A.C > N > O > F
  2. B.O > N > F > CCorrect answer
  3. C.F > O > N > C
  4. D.N > C > O > F

Solution

The electronic configurations of the neutral atoms are: C (2s22p22s^2 2p^2), N (2s22p32s^2 2p^3), O (2s22p42s^2 2p^4), F (2s22p52s^2 2p^5). After losing one electron, the cations have configurations: C+^+ (2s22p12s^2 2p^1), N+^+ (2s22p22s^2 2p^2), O+^+ (2s22p32s^2 2p^3), F+^+ (2s22p42s^2 2p^4). For the second ionization enthalpy, we remove an electron from these cations. N+^+ has a stable half-filled 2p32p^3 configuration, making its second ionization enthalpy exceptionally high. Oxygen (from O+^+, 2p32p^3) also has a half-filled configuration after losing the second electron, giving it the highest value among them. Thus, the order of second ionization enthalpy is O > N > F > C.

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