The binding energy of an electron in the ground state of He is equal to 24.6 eV. What is the amount of energy (in eV ) required to remove both the electrons?

Step-by-step solution

Helium atom has 2 electrons. When one electron is removed, the remaining atom is hydrogen like atom, whose energy in first orbit is E 1 = - 2 2 13.6   e V = - 54.4   e V Therefore, to remove the second electron from the atom, the additional energy of 54.4 eV is required. Hence, total energy required to remove both the electrons = 24.6 + 54.4 = 79.0   e V