Why is the second ionization energy of magnesium much lower than the ionization energy of sodium?
Dear All,
the atomic number of magnesium is 12. its electronic configuration is: 1s(2)2s(2)2p(6)3s(2). after the first electron is taken out, magnesium ion will have 11 electrons. as you know elements have the tendency to acquire the electronic configuration of nearest nobel gas, as it ia moat stable. so magnesium will readily lose electron to achieve configuration of neon. hence the second ionisation is much lower than first one.