JEE Main20266 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in PropertiesActual
In a period, the first ionisation enthalpy of the element at extreme left and the negative electron gain enthalpy of the extreme right element, except noble gases, are respectively.
Options
- Alowest and lowest
- Bhighest and lowest
- Clowest and highest
- Dhighest and highest
Correct answer
C. lowest and highest
Step-by-step solution
In a period, as we move from left to right, the atomic size decreases and the effective nuclear charge increases. Due to the large atomic size and low effective nuclear charge, the element at the extreme left (alkali metal) has the lowest first ionisation enthalpy in the period. As we move to the extreme right (excluding noble gases), the elements (halogens) have the smallest atomic size and highest effective nuclear charge in the period. They require only one electron to complete their octet. Thus, they have the h