Write the equations that show the processes that describe the first, second, and third
ionization energies of a tellurium atom.
These look like this, where M stands for the metal.
M ==> M^+ + e
M^+ --> M^+2 + e
M^+2 --> M^+3 + e
The first, second, and third ionization energies of a tellurium atom can be described by the following equations:
First ionization energy:
Te(g) -> Te+(g) + e-
Second ionization energy:
Te+(g) -> Te2+(g) + e-
Third ionization energy:
Te2+(g) -> Te3+(g) + e-
To understand the equations describing the ionization energies of a tellurium atom, we first need to understand what ionization energy is. Ionization energy represents the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion.
The ionization process involves the removal of each successive electron from an atom. In the case of tellurium (Te), it has a total of 52 electrons. To write the equations for the first, second, and third ionization energies of tellurium, we consider the stepwise removal of electrons.
First Ionization Energy (IE1):
Te(g) -> Te+(g) + e-
This equation represents the first ionization energy, where an electron is removed from a neutral tellurium atom (Te) to form a positively charged tellurium ion (Te+).
Second Ionization Energy (IE2):
Te+(g) -> Te2+(g) + e-
This equation represents the second ionization energy, where an electron is removed from the positively charged tellurium ion (Te+) to form a doubly charged tellurium ion (Te2+).
Third Ionization Energy (IE3):
Te2+(g) -> Te3+(g) + e-
This equation represents the third ionization energy, where an electron is removed from the doubly charged tellurium ion (Te2+) to form a triply charged tellurium ion (Te3+).
The process continues with subsequent ionization energies, representing the removal of additional electrons from the tellurium ion.
It's important to note that the ionization energies increase with each successive removal of electrons because the remaining electrons experience an increased effective nuclear charge and are more strongly attracted to the nucleus. As a result, more energy is required to remove each subsequent electron.