I need some homework help

[Pechy]

WHy is the first ionization energy for sodium much smaller than the secon ionization energy for sodium? i dont understand this.

[Hootenanny]

Hi there Pechy and welcome to PF,

Why do you think it is? Think about shell configuration and atomic charge.

[lightgrav]

Shell configuration ??
Atomic charge total is zero ... the ionized sodium is a positive ION.

THAT is the main reason the second electron is much harder to remove ...
for ANY object, not just a sodium atom/ion.