Ionization Energies Of Noble Gases

chikis

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

I was going through my past question and answer, I then came across this:
"The noble gases have the highest ionization energies in each period".
I then wondered why and how the above statement is a reality. How can the above statement be true when the noble gases have large atomic radi?

2. Relevant equations

No equation is involved.

3. The attempt at a solution

I know that Ionization energy, is the energy required to remove the outermost electron from a gasous atom.
If you say that the noble gases has the highest Ionization energies, how true is that when you know that the noble gases have a relatively large atomic radius?
I belive that the noble gases should have the lowest ionization energy since they have large atomic radius. This (lowest ionization energy) is possible because the larger the atomic radius the farer the distance of the outermost electron from the attraction of the nucleuos, thereby making it easier for outermost electron to escape. In such circustance, the outermost electron will leave with a very small energy.
From my statement above, I have it that the noble gases have the lowest and not the highest ionization energy.
If you the person viewing this my thread has a contrary view to mine on this concept on discusion feel free to share your own opinion. Let's see how we can collectively solve this problem.

tal444

You are forgetting that the noble gases are (generally) inert. They all have a full outer shell of electrons, which makes it very difficult to remove any electrons.

chikis

So is that the reason why they should have high ionization energies?

chemisttree

And the fact that that they have the highest Z_eff within each period.

chikis

What is the meaning of this "Z_eff"?

chikis

Did any of you agree with me that noble gases have largd atomic radi?

Borek

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_nuclear_charge

Redbelly98

This will answer that question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodi...#Atomic_radius

chikis

For now, I understand from the link you pasted in that "Z_eff" stands for effective nuclear charge. But with time, I will post in what I found complicating with the link. Thank you.

chikis

I have open the link which you pasted in. The link contained information concerning trends in periodic table, like ionization enegy, atomic radi, electron affinity, electronegative and the rest.
The issue is that my question has not been answered. My question is this, did any of you agree with me that noble gases have large atomic radius in each period?
Watch the link below and see for your self why am asking that question. In that link, you will see that in each period you go, the noble gases have large atomic radi which is equal in size to those of akali metals. So you now see why am asking that question with much zeal and expecting an answer.

http://www.crystalmaker.com/support/...omic_Radii.jpg

tal444

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodi...#Atomic_radius: "The atomic radius tends to decrease as one progresses across a period from left to right". This quote clearly states that atomic radii DECREASES from left to right. As noble gases are on the very right, this would mean that noble gases actually have the SMALLEST radii in their respective periods.

Borek

Data for Rn shows that the table can't be trusted.

chikis

What do you mean by Rn?

tal444

Rn stands for Radon.

Redbelly98

Don't be afraid of trying google for basic information like that:
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=o...w=1280&bih=638

or

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...w=1280&bih=638

(A lot faster than waiting 10 hours for somebody to post an answer to your question.)

chikis

Thank you for reminding me.

chemisttree

Much zeal?