Chemistry / Unit 5 Chem 0889 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Successive Ionization Energies and the Core-Electron Jump
Captions available
The idea
Each successive ionization energy is larger than the last, with a sharp jump once removal reaches a core electron rather than valence.
In practice
Sodium's second ionization energy far exceeds its first, since the first removes its valence electron, the second a core electron.
Where people slip
A large jump between successive ionization energies marks the boundary between valence and core, not a quirk.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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