Question

An electron is removed from Sodium, this is an _______ process and removing an electron from fluoride is an_______ process
a.) endothermic, exothermic
b.) exothermic, endothermic
c.) endothermic, endothermic
d.) exothermic, exothermic
e.) more information needed

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question, we must understand what exothermic and endothermic reactions actually are. We must also have an idea about the ionization enthalpy of certain elements.

Complete step by step solution:
Ionization energy is the amount of energy required by an isolated gaseous atom to lose an electron in its ground state.
The second most outer electron will be more attracted by the nucleus than the first outer electron. Therefore the second ionization energy will be greater than the first ionization energy. In the same way, subsequent enthalpy will be greater.
Endothermic reactions are reactions that require external energy, usually in the form of heat, for the reaction to proceed. Since endothermic reactions draw in heat from their surroundings, they tend to cause their environments to cool down.
To remove an electron, energy has to be provided to an atom. Hence its ionization enthalpy is always positive thus these reactions are always endothermic.

Hence, the correct answer is Option(C) endothermic, endothermic.

Note: We should note ionization energies are dependent upon the atomic radius. Since going from right to left on the periodic table, the atomic radius increases, and the ionization energy also increases from left to right in the periods and up the groups. Exception to this rule is the alkaline earth metals and the Nitrogen group.