Choose the element with the higher first ionization energy from each pair. a. Br or Bi

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Step 1: Understand the concept of ionization energy. Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion. The higher the ionization energy, the more difficult it is to remove an electron.

Step 2: Remember the trend of ionization energy in the periodic table. Ionization energy generally increases from left to right across a period and decreases from top to bottom within a group.

Step 3: Locate the elements Bromine (Br) and Bismuth (Bi) on the periodic table. Bromine is in the 4th period and 17th group, while Bismuth is in the 6th period and 15th group.

Step 4: Compare their positions. Since Bromine is higher up on the periodic table than Bismuth, it will have a higher ionization energy according to the trend.

Step 5: Therefore, Bromine (Br) has a higher first ionization energy than Bismuth (Bi).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionization Energy

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion. It is a key indicator of how strongly an atom holds onto its electrons. Generally, ionization energy increases across a period in the periodic table due to increasing nuclear charge and decreases down a group due to increased distance from the nucleus and electron shielding.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns observed in the properties of elements as you move across or down the periodic table. For ionization energy, elements on the right side of the table (like bromine) typically have higher ionization energies than those on the left (like bismuth) due to their greater effective nuclear charge and smaller atomic radius.

Comparison of Elements

When comparing elements, it is essential to consider their positions in the periodic table. Bromine (Br) is located in Group 17 and Period 4, while bismuth (Bi) is in Group 15 and Period 6. The difference in their groups and periods influences their ionization energies, with Br expected to have a higher ionization energy than Bi due to its smaller atomic size and higher electronegativity.