NEETChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
For the elements of the third period, which of the following represents the correct increasing order of first ionization enthalpy?
Options
- ANa < Al < Mg < Si < S < P
- BNa < Mg < Al < Si < P < S
- CNa < Al < Mg < Si < P < S
- DNa < Mg < Al < Si < S < P
Correct answer
A. Na < Al < Mg < Si < S < P
Step-by-step solution
Generally, first ionization enthalpy increases across a period from left to right due to an increase in effective nuclear charge. However, there are exceptions due to stable electronic configurations: 1. Magnesium ( 3s^2 ) has a fully filled s -orbital, which is more stable than the 3s^2 3p^1 configuration of Aluminium. The 3s electrons are also more penetrating than the 3p electron. Thus, the first ionization enthalpy of Mg is greater than that of Al. 2. Phosphorus ( 3s^2 3p^3 ) has an exactly half-filled p -subsh