Question

The electronic configuration of atom is one of the important factor which affects the value of ionisation potential and electron gain enthalpy. Explain

Answer 1

• Electronic configuration of an atom affects the value of ionization potential and electron gain enthalpy.
• Half-filled valence shell electronic configuration and completely filled valence shell electronic configuration are more stable than partially filled electronic configuration.
• For e.g. Beryllium (Z = 4) 1s² 2s² (completely filled electronic configuration)
  Nitrogen (Z = 7) 1s² 2s² 2p_x¹ 2p_y¹ 2p_z¹ (half filled electronic configuration)
  Both beryllium and nitrogen have high ionization energy due to their more stable nature.
• In the case of beryllium (1s² 2s²), nitrogen (1s² 2s² 2p³) the addition of extra electrons will disturb their stable electronic configuration and they have almost zero electron affinity.
• Noble gases have stable ns² np⁶ configuration and the addition of further electron is unfavorable and they have zero electron affinity.